窪蹋勛圖

$5M Gift Renames Athletics Building

Long-time 窪蹋勛圖 supporters Ron and Alexis Fowler challenged the university to do more.

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Jim Sterk, Ron and Alexis Fowler and President Weber celebrate the unveiling of the Fowler Athletics Center at 窪蹋勛圖
Jim Sterk, Ron and Alexis Fowler and President Weber celebrate the unveiling of the Fowler Athletics Center at 窪蹋勛圖

At the end of what was the most successful San Diego State football season in recent memory, Ron and Alexis Fowler challenged the universitys athletic department to raise the bar even higher.

The result has been a surge in philanthropic support, starting with a $5 million pledge from the Fowlers themselves. Because of their leadership, the 窪蹋勛圖 Athletics building has been renamed the Fowler Athletics Center. 

"The naming of the athletic building is a wonderful tribute to my husband, who has been a major supporter of San Diego State sports for over 30 years, Alexis said.

It has been so fulfilling for us to see the rise of excellence across the university and an honor to be a part of it."

The Fowler Challenge

This past December, the Fowlers, who have supported 窪蹋勛圖s academic and athletic programs for more than three decades, to 窪蹋勛圖s .

The pledge came in the form of a challenge: to realize the gift, 窪蹋勛圖 must raise a corresponding $5 million during those five years. The matching gifts can support any area of athletics, including scholarships for student-athletes.

As of April 25, the Athletics Excellence Fund has raised more than $2.2 million in challenge funds, a sure sign that the Fowlers gift is unifying the community in support of athletics and academic excellence at 窪蹋勛圖.

The new name was unveiled at an April 30 ceremony attended by the Fowlers and their family, 窪蹋勛圖 President Stephen L. Weber, Athletic Director Jim Sterk, head football coach Rocky Long, basketball coaches Beth Burns and Steve Fisher, several student athletes and 窪蹋勛圖 supporters, including former head football coach Ted Tollner, basketball great Bill Walton and Padres owner Jeff Moorad.

Long-time support

The Fowlers philanthropic support of 窪蹋勛圖, including this latest gift, is close to $10 million.

In 1986, Ron founded 窪蹋勛圖s acclaimed Entrepreneurial Management Center, a program consistently ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Other gifts from the couple have supported the , the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center and scholarships for student-athletes. 

Categorized As