An anonymous pair of donors made a $1.5 million gift commitment to the Indoor Practice Facility and to honor the legacy of former Deputy Director of Athletics Aaron Leetch.
Appears InA gifted administrator, Leetch was a driving force behind the fundraising for the Hancock Stadium renovation and construction of the club space, which has been named Aaron Leetch Stadium Club.
Leetch began serving as deputy director of Athletics in 2013. He was one of seven men who lost their lives in an airplane crash when returning from the NCAA Final Four championship game on April 7, 2015.
“We are truly grateful for the generosity shown by these donors for their commitment to honoring Aaron and helping us build the Indoor Practice Facility,” Athletics Director Kyle Brennan said of Leetch, who died at 37.
“Aaron had a vision for this indoor facility that he shared with donors, and these gifts help ensure his plans for Illinois State come to fruition,” Brennan said. “Aaron’s legacy here is very important, and the fact that these donors know that and understand it is meaningful to everyone associated with Redbird Athletics.”
Ground was broken for the $11.5 million Indoor Practice Facility on April 10. Those attending included Dee Miller, his wife Sheila Marshall-Miller ’94, and former Illinois State student-athlete and professional football player Amin Babjide (B.J.) Bello. They pledged $3 million through their company The Linq Up for the facility that is expected to be completed in spring of 2023.
