Ottawa University to build $6M athletic center on its Surprise campus

PHOENIX — Ottawa University will soon build an athletic center on its Phoenix-area campus after receiving a $6 million donation from two alumni.

According to a press release, the university will build the O’Dell Center for Athletics at its residential campus in Surprise, Arizona. The donation came from Jim and Jeanne O’Dell, who graduated in 1957 and 1956, respectively.

The donation is the single largest gift in the school’s 152-year history, the press release said.

In a statement, Jim O’Dell said the couple has been “involved in the search for an Arizona campus from the beginning.”

“I know how hard [President Kevin Eichner] and the entire OU staff have labored to make it work,” O’Dell said.

“I have met all or most of the coaches and really want to make the whole experience the best it can be. OUAZ in Surprise is the beginning of a great place for students to learn.”

Eichner called the donation a “true game-changer” and said the couple has been “strong supporters of our move for launching our new campus.”

“Jim and Jeanne are thrilled to be able to share their great fortune with us,” he added.

“This particular commitment on their part reflects their discernment and trust that their gift will be one that keeps on giving for many decades to come, affecting the quality of experience for our students, our coaches, our fans, and the image of our institution.”

The facility will contain locker rooms, training facilities, coaches’ offices, student support services, a press box and entertainment area.

The press release said groundbreaking on the facility is expected to begin in February and will field 19 varsity men’s and women’s sports teams.

The Surprise campus opened in August and saw 434 students on its first day of classes, a nearly 50 percent increase from the university’s original projection of 300 students during the 2017-2018 school year.

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