Sustainable Excellence Initiative Hits $100 Million Mark

BOULDER — Transformations can take place in varying rates of speed. Due to the hard work of many, what has occurred around the University of Colorado Athletics program over the last three years is nothing short of amazing.

It all started in December 2013, when the school's Board of Regents voted unanimously for its new athletic director, Rick George, to proceed with plans to begin a comprehensive Athletic Complex Expansion. Born out of that approval was CU's Sustainable Excellence Initiative (SEI), a comprehensive plan for Colorado Athletics to get on the fast track to improve facilities and get caught up in the competitive world of major intercollegiate athletics.

Fast-forward a little over three years, and all three phases of a massive Athletic Complex Expansion are complete and the SEI recently surpassed the $100 million mark -- $100,631,894 to be precise. More than 3,300 donors have made nearly 6,100 gifts to the fundraising project dubbed "The Drive For 105," which has secured donations and commitments for both capital contributions ($66.6 million) and scholarship endowments ($34 million).

"This is an absolutely incredible milestone to surpass," George said. "The Champions Center, Indoor Practice Facility and Dal Ward renovation will enable CU Athletics to achieve our mission of providing the student-athletes with a world class experience. I am humbled by the thousands of supporters that have made it a personal priority to assist us in accomplishing this dream. We have not yet reached our ultimate goal, but $105 million is in clear sight.

"I am grateful for the dedication of our Buff Club team and their strategic, intentional focus on surpassing the $100 million threshold," he continued. "Now is the time for the entire Buff Nation to rally around surpassing this goal and providing these amazing student-athletes with the ability to compete for and win championships for decades to come."

When all would be said and done, the two jewels of the expansion, the Champions Center and Indoor Practice Facility would provide 337,000 square feet of new space, a good portion of it dedicated for the football program. Renovation of approximately 38,000 square feet of the Dal Ward Athletic Center would benefit CU's Olympic Sport programs as well as the department's academic support unit. It was easily one of the largest capital construction projects ever undertaken in collegiate athletics.

George enlisted two alumni with life-long Boulder roots, Ariel and Kristen Solomon, who accepted George's request to serve as co-chairs of the SEI. The couple put in many hours in representing their alma mater in being two of the key playmakers in securing interest and donations in the project.

Solomon was a two-year starter at offensive tackle and a member of two CU Big Eight Conference championship teams and the 1990 national champions. He was a 10th round draft choice by the Pittsburgh Steelers and went on to play six years in the National Football League, five with the Steelers. As a member of CU's 1986-90 teams, he saw first-hand what the Buffaloes did and did not have access to.

"I am ecstatic to see the student-athletes at CU today have the necessary support and facilities to be champions, not only on the fields of play but also in the academic arena and business world post-graduation," he said.

"Both Kristen and I truly felt that this was a turning point in the future of CU athletics," he continued."The plan Rick George laid out which included not only the facilities improvement but the growth of the endowment, for long term sustainability and a strategic initiative to hold the entire department accountable for this plan to be implemented and for every student athlete to feel the support and success around them."

Fruits of the expansion have already been realized, especially in the football program, and yet the completion of the project is coming up on only its first anniversary.It's made a difference in everything from recruiting to sports medicine services, strength and conditioning and nutrition.

"We hope our involvement has helped show how impactful CU athletics can be in everyone's lives," Ariel Solomon said."I was of course impacted directly by being a student-athlete at CU and by my success on the field, but we wanted to share the impact CU has had on my business and professional life as well.Kristen has shared the effect CU has on the community as a whole and on our family and kid's lives as well."

All involved with the project believe that the SEI has had a huge impact on the city.Many businesses are using the new space to hold events and parties, there's a wedding or other events almost every weekend during the summer.As was the plan from the beginning, it is clearly bringing many more people to the campus.

"There is a constant buzz in the entire town about the new facilities, and it has given the entire Buff community reason to be proud of our cutting edge improvements," Solomon said.

While the first public goal of the project -- $105 million – is clearly within reach, the Buff Club continues to solicit support as every gift makes a difference.

"Ariel and I are very thankful for all the support so many people have provided as it has already changed the complexion of CU Athletics forever," Kristen Solomon said."We can already see the impact of the SEI drive both on the field and in the classrooms."

"This is truly a turning point in CU Athletics history, and this is a chance for Buffs all around the country and world to be a part of that change," Ariel Solomon added."We want people to know that any support they give is much appreciated.This can be purchasing a brick on the Buff Walk or a sponsoring a locker in the new locker room all the way up to recognizing a part of the facility.Every little bit helps and from personal experience I know that being part of this inspiring time feels great."

George emphasized that while the department is close to the initial goal, by no means is it done securing donations to augment what has been accomplished as well as to build toward future needs.

"As I have stated in the past, the sooner we complete the drive for $105 million, the sooner we can turn our focus to the next set of priorities for our student-athletes," George said."Dozens of recognition opportunities are still available in many donation ranges, as we still have current goals to meet and future goals to be realized."

TIMELINE

Dec. 14, 2013 CU's Board of Regents unanimously approve plan for Comprehensive Athletic Expansion,

provided a third of the estimated cost is raised prior to construction.

May 12, 2014 With a little over a third of the funds pledged ($47 million), ground is broken on the first

phase of the project, the renovation of the north bleacher seats and northwest corner of
Folsom Field into club seating. Phase one is completed by the second week of September.

Dec. 1, 2014 With the 2014 football season complete, construction of the Champions Center is well

underway.

Aug. 15, 2015 The CU football team moves into the nearly completed Champions Center, becoming the first

                              real occupants of the building. Over the next three months, the remainder of the athletic
                              department relocates in shifts. Construction now turns to completing the indoor facility and
                              outside landscaping.

Feb. 26, 2016 Official dedication of the Champions Center and CU's Indoor Practice Facility, a black-tie gala

that honored over 300 patrons with emcees of the event include two high-profile CU
graduates, Chris Fowler (ESPN) and Joel Klatt (FOX Sports).

Nov. 26, 2016 Official dedication of the newest SEI addition, a bronze statue of CU's live buffalo mascot,

Ralphie, and her handlers. The CU Foundation's generous support made this a reality.

For additional (and extensive) information as well as regular updates, those interested can visit CU's dedicated SEI website: http://www.cusustainableexcellence.com.

Sustainable Excellence Initiative Hits $100 Million Mark

Related Videos