CARBONDALE, Ill. (KFVS) – The SIU Foundation announced that an anonymous donor recently gave a $4.5 million gift for the university’s student athletes.
Specifically, the large donation will go toward scholarships for female student athletes, as well as improvements to the Saluki softball stadium, according to a release from the foundation.
“This gift uplifts our entire university by showing the incredible power of the Saluki spirit,” said Tim Leonard, Southern Illinois University’s director of athletics. “This historic donation provides inspiring support for women’s athletics at SIU and helps ensure our women’s programs continue to thrive.”
$4 million will support women’s scholarships, while $500,000 will fund the Charlotte West Stadium improvements.
“This generous donation is more than just a facilities gift — it’s an investment in our female student-athletes, our program, and the future of college softball,” said SIU Softball Head Coach Jen Sewell. “It will help provide a first-class facility that reflects the hard work, dedication, and passion of our staff and players.”
According to the release, this gift comes as part of the Saluki Unleashed campaign, which aims to enhance revenue within Saluki Athletics by $100 million.
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