IU Athletics Announces Major Gift by the Jay Wilkinson Family to “For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign” in support of the new Indoor Arena
9/14/2017 2:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, Varsity Club
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana – Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass announced today a major gift by IU alumnus Jay Wilkinson to the Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign for Athletics. This $10 million commitment will help provide funding for the construction of the new multi-use Indoor Arena to be built on the Athletics campus which will become the new home for volleyball and wrestling competition. In recognition of the gift, the venue will be permanently named Wilkinson Hall.
"Located in the heart of IU's athletics campus, the new Wilkinson Hall will have an enormous and positive impact for all of our students who participate in intercollegiate athletics as well as the broader IU student body," said IU President Michael A. McRobbie. "Consistent with the university's master plan, this state-of-the-art, indoor, multipurpose arena will bring volleyball and wrestling back to the athletics campus, support year-round training for all of our students, and improve campus life with increased student fan accessibility for volleyball and wrestling matches. We are deeply grateful to Jay Wilkinson for this remarkable gift and for his longstanding support of IU's student-athletes."
Jay Wilkinson has an incredible history of support for IU Athletics, from currently serving on the Varsity Club's National Board of Directors, to making several major gifts benefitting IU student-athletes. Jay's most recent and significant gift to date will name Wilkinson Hall, providing a top-tier facility for our volleyball and wrestling programs, as well as serving as a multi-sport venue benefitting student-athletes in all 24 sports. The venue will also be used for hosting department and university events.
"Indiana University and IU Athletics has meant a great deal to me and my family over the years," said Wilkinson. "We are pleased to be in a position to provide philanthropic support that benefits such deserving student-athletes now and in the future. I hope this gift inspires others who love Indiana University to support it in whatever way they can."
Wilkinson Hall will enable IU Athletics, consistent with the University's master plan, to move the volleyball and wrestling team's competitive venue from the University Gym at 10th Street and the 45/46 Bypass to the athletics campus adjacent to the east side of Cook Hall. This location will give student-athletes better access to athletic and academic services provided by the department and better proximity to student housing.
The 2,500- to 3,000-seat venue will be used as a competition facility for both volleyball and wrestling, as well as the practice facility for volleyball. The wrestling team also will be able to compete closer to its current practice space in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. In addition, spectators will enjoy a fan- and family- friendly environment within the new facility.
"We extend our deepest thanks to Jay Wilkinson for his extraordinarily impactful and generous gift," said Glass. "Jay's belief in the 'Spirit of Indiana: 24 Sports, One Team' has led him to invest in our student-athletes through transformative philanthropic support. We are honored by his support and thrilled to have his name permanently associated with IU Athletics."
Jay's priority in giving has always been in line with the vision of 24 Sports: One team. In 2012, Jay named one of the largest performance facilities of its kind, the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center, located in the North End Zone of Memorial Stadium. Their gift provided operating resources and funded equipment and training needs. "The Wilk" has given all of Indiana's varsity athletes a place for weight training and cardio exercising. The facility has over 150 pieces of equipment, including more than 11 tons of dumbbells and north of 40 tons of free weights. To date, his generosity has provided 1,000+ student athletes with the resources to achieve their goals in "The Wilk."
In 2016, Jay endowed The Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship to honor his late wife. The scholarship is given annually to at least one female varsity athlete with no other restrictions as Jay wanted to keep the criteria as open as possible. By benefitting current and countless student-athletes in the years to come, Jay has ensured that the spirit and legacy of Nancy will live on forever by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities through IU Athletics.
Jay earned a Bachelor of Science in public affairs in 1985 and was a commissioned U.S. Army officer through the IU Army ROTC. In Bloomington, Wilkinson met lifelong friends, developed his passions and launched his career in business. Jay and his family will be honored during the November 4th IU football game vs. the University of Wisconsin.
For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign is taking place on all IU-administered campuses including IU Bloomington, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. The campaign will conclude in December 2019 to coincide with IU's bicentennial year celebration in 2020. To learn more about the campaign, its impact, and how to participate, please visit forall.iu.edu.
"Located in the heart of IU's athletics campus, the new Wilkinson Hall will have an enormous and positive impact for all of our students who participate in intercollegiate athletics as well as the broader IU student body," said IU President Michael A. McRobbie. "Consistent with the university's master plan, this state-of-the-art, indoor, multipurpose arena will bring volleyball and wrestling back to the athletics campus, support year-round training for all of our students, and improve campus life with increased student fan accessibility for volleyball and wrestling matches. We are deeply grateful to Jay Wilkinson for this remarkable gift and for his longstanding support of IU's student-athletes."
Jay Wilkinson has an incredible history of support for IU Athletics, from currently serving on the Varsity Club's National Board of Directors, to making several major gifts benefitting IU student-athletes. Jay's most recent and significant gift to date will name Wilkinson Hall, providing a top-tier facility for our volleyball and wrestling programs, as well as serving as a multi-sport venue benefitting student-athletes in all 24 sports. The venue will also be used for hosting department and university events.
"Indiana University and IU Athletics has meant a great deal to me and my family over the years," said Wilkinson. "We are pleased to be in a position to provide philanthropic support that benefits such deserving student-athletes now and in the future. I hope this gift inspires others who love Indiana University to support it in whatever way they can."Wilkinson Hall will enable IU Athletics, consistent with the University's master plan, to move the volleyball and wrestling team's competitive venue from the University Gym at 10th Street and the 45/46 Bypass to the athletics campus adjacent to the east side of Cook Hall. This location will give student-athletes better access to athletic and academic services provided by the department and better proximity to student housing.
The 2,500- to 3,000-seat venue will be used as a competition facility for both volleyball and wrestling, as well as the practice facility for volleyball. The wrestling team also will be able to compete closer to its current practice space in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. In addition, spectators will enjoy a fan- and family- friendly environment within the new facility.
"We extend our deepest thanks to Jay Wilkinson for his extraordinarily impactful and generous gift," said Glass. "Jay's belief in the 'Spirit of Indiana: 24 Sports, One Team' has led him to invest in our student-athletes through transformative philanthropic support. We are honored by his support and thrilled to have his name permanently associated with IU Athletics."
Jay's priority in giving has always been in line with the vision of 24 Sports: One team. In 2012, Jay named one of the largest performance facilities of its kind, the W. Jay and Nancy Wilkinson Performance Center, located in the North End Zone of Memorial Stadium. Their gift provided operating resources and funded equipment and training needs. "The Wilk" has given all of Indiana's varsity athletes a place for weight training and cardio exercising. The facility has over 150 pieces of equipment, including more than 11 tons of dumbbells and north of 40 tons of free weights. To date, his generosity has provided 1,000+ student athletes with the resources to achieve their goals in "The Wilk."
In 2016, Jay endowed The Nancy Wilkinson Athletic Scholarship to honor his late wife. The scholarship is given annually to at least one female varsity athlete with no other restrictions as Jay wanted to keep the criteria as open as possible. By benefitting current and countless student-athletes in the years to come, Jay has ensured that the spirit and legacy of Nancy will live on forever by providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities through IU Athletics.
Jay earned a Bachelor of Science in public affairs in 1985 and was a commissioned U.S. Army officer through the IU Army ROTC. In Bloomington, Wilkinson met lifelong friends, developed his passions and launched his career in business. Jay and his family will be honored during the November 4th IU football game vs. the University of Wisconsin.
For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign is taking place on all IU-administered campuses including IU Bloomington, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. The campaign will conclude in December 2019 to coincide with IU's bicentennial year celebration in 2020. To learn more about the campaign, its impact, and how to participate, please visit forall.iu.edu.
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