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Cedar Rapids Couple Commits $500,000 for Carver-Hawkeye Arena Project
Posted September 25, 2008
UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta said the Fellers' philanthropic commitment will help ensure the success of the project, which was approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, in June 2008. "Brent and Ellen Feller have been loyal friends to the University of Iowa, and we are incredibly grateful for their gift," Barta said. "Carver-Hawkeye Arena is home to two-thirds of our coaches and staff, to our men's and women's basketball, wrestling and volleyball programs, and numerous other sports. It's still a terrific arena, but after 25 years it is in need of significant improvements, enhancements and expansion. Again, our heartfelt thanks are extended to the Fellers for helping make this a reality." Brent Feller, who earned two degrees from the UI (1982 B.S., 1987 M.D.), is a member of Linn County Anesthesiologists, P.C., a group of physicians providing anesthesia services to Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities. He and Ellen Feller are avid Iowa Hawkeye fans who previously endowed a men's basketball scholarship at the UI and supported the Kinnick Stadium renovation that was completed in 2006. "I've been a Hawkeye fan my whole life, since going to games at Kinnick Stadium and the Iowa Field House when I was growing up," Brent Feller said in explaining the couple's motivation for making their gift. "We go to a majority of men's basketball road games and have seen that Carver-Hawkeye Arena is falling behind other Big Ten universities' facilities, especially the practice facilities. We are very pleased to help UI student-athletes compete at the highest levels in future years." The UI is one of two Big Ten universities without dedicated practice facilities for its men's and women's basketball teams and volleyball team. In addition, the available strength-training and conditioning space at the 25-year-old Carver-Hawkeye Arena lags behind national standards and what peer institutions offer. To address these challenges, the UI is planning a series of enhancements to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including a new practice gym complex for men's and women's basketball and volleyball; a state-of-the-art, 8,000-square-foot strength and conditioning center; renovation and expansion of the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex; new locker rooms for volleyball, wrestling and men's and women's basketball; a new large, high-speed patron elevator; improved and more numerous rest rooms; premium seating opportunities with expanded hospitality and entertainment areas; and new/remodeled office and meeting space for the more than 135 coaches and staff who work with student-athletes in the arena. The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the UI Foundation, visit its web site at www.uiowafoundation.org. Contact Information Andy Piro Writer: Nic Arp Additional information about supporting The University of Iowa Intercollegiate Athletics is available on this site. |
IOWA CITY -- Brent Feller, M.D., and Ellen Feller, of Cedar Rapids, have made a gift commitment of $500,000 to the University of Iowa Foundation to support the renovation of Carver-Hawkeye Arena on the UI campus.