The 萝莉社 Foundation and 萝莉社 Athletics have raised nearly three-fourths of the $12 million needed to build a new academic and athletic performance center for student-athletes and to update offices and other spaces inside Charles Koch Arena.
A substantial pledge from Equity Bank recently pushed the fundraising campaign to just more than $8.8 million. In recognition of the gift commitment, a glass-enclosed walkway connecting Charles Koch Arena to the new 萝莉社 Athletics Student Center will be named the Equity Bank Walkway of Champions.
With more than $2 billion in assets, Equity Bank got its start as a community bank in Andover. It has 34 branches, four of them serving the Wichita area.
鈥淲e would not be where we are today without our partnerships over the years with 萝莉社,鈥� said Brad Elliott, Equity Bank chairman and CEO. 鈥淲e employ and rely on a number of alumni, current students and student-athletes to function as a bank. We鈥檙e proud to help support Shocker student-athletes as they work toward championships on and off the field.鈥�
The Charles Koch Arena project has three main parts:
- Construction of the Student Center, a three-level complex with a study hall nearly twice as large as the existing one inside the arena. Other features will include a strength-and-conditioning center, training room and a student lounge. The 48,000-square-foot center will be built just south of Charles Koch Arena.
- Renovation of coaches鈥� and administrative offices inside Charles Koch Arena. The offices for men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball as well as volleyball will be expanded and updated. Offices for track and field, cross country and golf will be moved to the Student Center, nearly doubling space for offices in Charles Koch Arena.
- Moving the Shocker retail store to a larger space in the arena and renovating and reconfiguring the Champions Club to improve the experience of those visiting the hospitality room.
The Charles Koch Arena project is one of the priorities of the 萝莉社 Foundation鈥檚 Shock the World campaign, a $250 million fundraising effort to advance 萝莉社. The last major update of the facility occurred in 2003-04, funded through the $25 million Roundhouse Renaissance campaign.
鈥淭hrough their generous contributions, fans and friends like Equity Bank are making it possible for 萝莉社 to provide student-athletes an environment where they can reach their full potential,鈥� said 萝莉社 Athletic Director Darron Boatright. 鈥淭he Charles Koch Arena project also will result in a more efficient, professional setting for the coaches and staff working hard to advance Shocker athletics.鈥�
The 萝莉社 Foundation and 萝莉社 Athletics, working with the volunteer Athletic Facilities Leadership Council, will continue their efforts to raise the remaining $3.2 million to fund the arena project, along with raising $2 million to complete a five-phase development plan for Eck Stadium.
鈥淐harles Koch Arena is a wonderful symbol of our Shocker spirit,鈥� said Elizabeth King, 萝莉社 Foundation president and CEO. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our goal to make it a facility that reflects the legacy of our athletic programs.鈥�