Story by MSU News Service
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State University Athletics has received a $2 million commitment from an anonymous donor — the largest single gift the program has ever received — to support a pair of projects that are part of the first phase of athletics’ master plan for facilities.
Bobcat Athletics announced its Facility Master Plan a year ago. Its goals include renovations at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse and Bobcat Stadium, as well as new or expanded facilities for track, tennis and golf, to meet the needs of student-athletes and provide space for students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate MSU athletics.
The record-setting $2 million pledge will support Phase I of the master plan: the Bobcat Athletic Complex, a 37,000-square-foot facility planned for the north end of Bobcat Stadium that will house the football program, and the Academic Excellence Center, a 3,400-square-foot facility for student-athletes in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
“This gift moves us toward our goal to create centers of excellence that embrace our mission to create champions in the classroom, in competition and in life,” said MSU Athletics Director Leon Costello.
He added that the projects are critical to the academic and athletic success of MSU student-athletes. “Both projects included in Phase I will impact all 350 student-athletes from every sport,” he said.
Costello noted that more fundraising is needed to make Phase I a reality. The athletics complex and academic center require raising approximately $16 million in private funds.
“Private support is essential to changing the face of MSU Athletics, and we hope Bobcat supporters at all levels will be inspired by this gift and join us in making this project a reality,” he said. “We thank our anonymous donor for sharing in and supporting our vision for Bobcat Athletics.”
