Basketball Complex Dedication Ceremonies Have Dual Purpose
Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held at the new ISU Basketball Complex Friday, Oct. 16, and featured, from left to right, Jamie Pollard, Iowa State University athletic director; Charles Sukup, Mary Sukup, Eugene Sukup, Steve Sukup, Vicki Sukup, and Iowa State University President Gregory L. Geoffroy.
Dedication ceremonies for the new Iowa State University Basketball Complex on Friday, Oct. 16, not only highlighted what is being termed as one of the nation’s finest collegiate basketball practice facilities, but also featured the announcement of the project’s lead pledge.
Iowa State University President Gregory L. Geoffroy told the audience gathered at the dedication ceremonies that the Sukup family of Sheffield, Iowa, has pledged the lead gift for the practice facility. The facility, located off-campus in west Ames, will be named the Sukup Basketball Complex, pending approval from the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
“One of the strengths of the Cyclone athletics program is its alumni and fan loyalty. Without them this fantastic new facility for basketball would not have been possible,” Geoffroy said. “We are very fortunate to have the Sukup family so firmly in the Cyclone camp and are extremely grateful for the family’s incredible generosity.”
The Sukups own and operate Sukup Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest family-owned grain bin manufacturer, whose product line includes grain dryers, farm and commercial grain bins, bucket elevators and material conveying systems.
The firm was founded by Eugene and Mary Sukup. Their sons, Charles and Steve, are both Iowa State graduates and many of their children have also graduated from Iowa State.
Iowa State athletics has been a great source of pride and enjoyment for our family,” Steve Sukup said. “The department has a family feel from all their coaches and we revel in the opportunity to support a first-class complex for our men’s and women’s basketball programs.”
The 37,000 square-foot, $8 million facility offers all of the amenities a program needs to attract top recruits. Both men’s and women’s basketball programs have 24-hour access to their own regulation size court in addition to two smaller cross courts. Each side is decorated with giant murals depicting memorable moments in their respective program’s history. Banners of NCAA Championship and conference title teams are also proudly displayed on the wall.
“But more importantly, the structure provides the current student-athletes and coaching staff an outstanding fully-equipped practice area to call home,” said Jamie Pollard, ISU athletics director.
On the lower level of the facility, each team has its own team/lounge area including computer workstations with internet access. Adjacent to the team lounges, both programs share a training center with taping stations, self-contained whirlpools and treatment tables to fully accommodate any rehabilitation or treatment demands.
The training center also includes a fully equipped weight room and access to a treadmill and elliptical machine. Locker rooms for both teams are also found on the first floor.
The coaches’ offices for the Cyclone men’s and women’s basketball programs are housed on the second floor of the facility. Included on the second floor is a balcony video deck overlooking each court, video editing rooms and a theater room, which will be utilized by both teams.
“This new Basketball Complex builds on the quality of the athletic programs at Iowa State and the positive role that intercollegiate athletics can play for the university in its goals of excellence,” said Charles Sukup.
Other major benefactors include Ev Cochrane III ’79, ’88, Ames; the Kathryn A. Engel Trust, Ames; Erben ’43 and Margaret ’42 Hunziker, Ames; Dickson ’88, ’91, ’92 and Luann ’89 Jensen, Ames; and Larry ’55 and Pat Wetter, Carefree, Ariz. Many other generous donors have helped make the ISU Basketball Complex possible.
Iowa State University Basketball Complex
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