An anonymous $2 million donation will go toward basketball practice facility at San Diego State University, the school announced.
The gift comes through the Manna Charitable Foundation, which has an anonymous benefactor, according to SDSU.
“It is truly a privilege to have been blessed with the ability to help people and programs that are assets to our community,” the benefactor said in a statement released by the school. “SDSU basketball captured the hearts of this community, brought us together, and is a true San Diego asset. I would like to see the Aztec program continue to build into a national championship contender, and to bring more well-deserved attention to our fine community.”
The SDSU men’s team won the Mountain West regular season title and advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four years.
The $14.5 million SDSU Basketball Performance Center will have two full- length courts, eight baskets, locker rooms, film rooms, team lounges, athletic training room and coaches locker rooms for the Aztec men’s and women’s basketball programs. Team boosters believe the facility is critical for having the programs take their next step.
The Aztecs can’t practice in Viejas Arena when other events are scheduled, so they’re often relegated to other campus facilities.
According to SDSU, $12 million has been raised for the practice courts, including a $1 million gift from the foundation of the late Walter Zable, the founder of Cubic Corp.
Aside from basketball, the donation brings SDSU’s fundraising campaign within $6 million of meeting its $500 million target. The fundraiser started in 2007 has netted 90 donations of $1 million or more.
– City News Service