New gifts tip off Moody Coliseum renovation and expansion
SMU celebrates new major gifts to help renovate Moody Coliseum.
 Artist's rendering of Moody Coliseum |
An event, Tip-Off at Moody, will be held on Wednesday (Oct. 10, 2012) to recognize donors and celebrate a new era for SMU Athletics and Moody Coliseum.
“The generous support for the Moody Coliseum renovation and expansion and the Mustang basketball program signals a new era for SMU athletics,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “These enhancements will strengthen the Moody Coliseum experience for student-athletes and fans as well as the many community members who visit the Coliseum for a host of events.”
Construction has begun on the first phase of the $47 million project, which will include courtside retractable seating for students as well as new club seats, premium seating in private suites and loge boxes. The project also includes a three-story addition with new event and hospitality space, new team offices and locker rooms, renovation of the entry lobby, concourses and concession areas, new video boards and sound system. The coliseum will close in March 2013 for major interior renovation and will reopen in December 2013.
 Artist's rendering of Moody's new lobby |
Each May the coliseum is transformed to host SMU Commencement as well as graduation ceremonies for thousands of area high school students. Four U.S. presidents have spoken at Moody Coliseum, including Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. Poet T.S. Eliot also spoke to audiences there. Other events, such as installation of United Methodist Church bishops and Highland Park United Methodist Church Easter services, have taken place at Moody.
Moody Coliseum also has been the venue for bands such as The Rolling Stones, Three Dog Night, The Grateful Dead, Queen, U2 and Pearl Jam. Dallas’ first professional basketball team, the Chaparrals, competed at Moody along with professional tennis players at the Virginia Slims and WCT professional tennis tournaments. Cheerleading, basketball and volleyball camps, Boy Scout conferences and fundraising dance marathons also have taken place at Moody Coliseum.
In April 2012, The Moody Foundation made the lead gift of $20 million to the renovation and expansion, followed by David B. Miller and Carolyn Lacy Miller who gave $10 million.
Recent donors of $1 million or more to the Moody Coliseum renovation and expansion project include:
- Belle Stumberg Berg ’71 and Donald A. Berg ’70, ’77 of Dallas
- Jane R. Bolin and Pat S. Bolin ’73 of Dallas, Daniel H. Bolin ’76 of Wichita Falls and the Aurora and Phil Bolin Fund
- Gina L. Bridwell and Tucker S. Bridwell ’73, ’74, Dian Graves Owen Foundation and Tejon Energy LP of Abilene
- Sylvie P. Crum and Gary Crum ’69 of Houston
- PlainsCapital Bank of Dallas
In addition, new gifts to SMU’s Basketball Circle of Champions totaling more than $2 million will be recognized at the event. The Basketball Circle of Champions is a visionary group of generous and dedicated SMU alumni leaders who are committed to building on the storied foundation of SMU basketball and returning it to the forefront of collegiate basketball. Their support allows SMU to provide the best coaching staff and programs for student-athletes, thereby increasing opportunities for success.
New $1 million donors to the Basketball Circle of Champions include:
- Penny Requa Loyd and Paul B. Loyd Jr. ’68 of Houston
- David B. Miller ’72, ‘73 and Carolyn Lacy Miller of Dallas
“Moody Coliseum has long held the reputation as one of the greatest venues for sporting events, both for fans and athletes,” says SMU Athletic Director Rick Hart. “When this project is completed, Moody moments and memories will continue for fans and athletes for years to come.”
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