SDSU Athletics has raised $12 million for its $14.5 million Basketball Performance Center.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 21, 2014) — Following the Aztec men’s basketball team’s second Sweet Sixteen appearance in four years, momentum for funding of the planned $14.5 million Basketball Performance Center continues with the announcement of a $2 million gift from the Manna Charitable Foundation at the San Diego Foundation.
“We are excited to announce a $2 million gift from the Manna Charitable Foundation” said SDSU director of athletics, Jim Sterk. “The anonymous benefactor who created the Manna Charitable Foundation is a first-time donor to the university. The donor admired the incredible team effort and family atmosphere that is fostered by head Coach Steve Fisher. The power of an athletic team gaining the love of a community has never been more relevant than with this gift.”
Late in 2013, the Zable Foundation pledged a $1 million challenge gift for the Basketball Performance Center. While the Manna Charitable Foundation gift fulfills that challenge, pledges are still being accepted to fully fund the project. Currently, SDSU Athletics has raised just over $12 million for the project.
“I have been a fan of the incredible work that Steve Fisher, his assistants and the student-athletes did this year,” the benefactor said. “They played with a defensive intensity that I loved. It is truly a privilege to have been blessed with the ability to help people and programs that are assets to our community. SDSU basketball captured the hearts of this community, brought us together, and is a true San Diego asset. I would like to see the Aztec program continue to build into a national championship contender, and to bring more well-deserved attention to our fine community.”
The Manna Charitable Foundation’s gift contributes to The Campaign for SDSU, which to date has raised more than $494 million of its $500 million goal.
The campaign was launched in 2007 to create new opportunities for student success and to help SDSU continue to develop as a leading public research university. To date, the campaign has received more than 123,700 gifts from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and community partners, including 90 gifts of $1 million or more.
The Basketball Performance Center will be located just west of the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. Two full-length courts, eight baskets, locker rooms, film rooms, team lounges, athletic training room and coaches locker rooms will enhance the Aztec men’s and women’s championship basketball programs.
For more information on the Basketball Performance Center, contact the Aztec Club at 619- 594-6444. Gifts to the Aztec Basketball Performance Center can be made online.
