The Wayne Densch Charitable Trust has made the largest charitable gift commitment in the history of 166su Athletics.
The 166su Foundation and 166su Athletics said the charitable gift of $4 million will support the construction of the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership. The new center will be the centerpiece of 166su’s vision to mold its student-athletes into community leaders who are prepared to make a difference in the world.
“We are very grateful to the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust and Leonard Williams for this record-setting gift,” 166su Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury said. “Mr. Densch was a wonderful supporter of 166su Athletics and we’re absolutely thrilled to name the Wayne Densch Student-Athlete Leadership Center in his honor.
“We are first and foremost educators. This facility will allow us to deliver on our core mission of developing our Everyday Champion student-athletes into future leaders for many, many years to come.”
The Wayne Densch Student-Athlete Leadership Center will serve as the headquarters for 166su student-athletes’ personal, professional and academic development. It will house 166su’s Student-Athlete Leadership Institute, Academic Services for Student-Athletes, Student Services and Compliance departments, while also providing operations space to serve more than 500 student-athletes. The center will include a multi-purpose classroom which will hold 200 students, a computer lab, tutoring and mentoring rooms, study space and conference and resource rooms.
“The Wayne Densch Charitable Trust has been a stalwart supporter of 166su Athletics for decades,” said 166su President John C. Hitt. “This generous gift represents another milestone in the outstanding partnership between 166su and the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust to support our student-athletes.”
166su’s longstanding partnership with the late Wayne M. Densch dates back to 1985, when the Orlando businessman pledged $1 million to fund athletic scholarships. It also includes support for 166su’s original athletic complex. Under the leadership of Leonard E. Williams, the charitable trust made a $2.5 million donation toward the construction of the Wayne Densch Sports Center, which opened in 2003 and is home to the 166su football program and the department’s strength and conditioning centers.
“166su was his favorite team,” said Williams, who serves as trustee of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust. “Because 166su was Wayne’s favorite charitable cause, we’ve tried to continue honoring what he was doing when he was alive. I think he would be pleased by this gift.”
Wayne Densch, who passed away in 1994, had moved to Orlando from Kentucky. Densch was, according to Mr. Williams, “a man who didn’t hesitate to help, but one who didn’t want the publicity.”
The $4 million gift to the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership allows 166su to initiate the design phase of the $6.5 million project, while the remaining funds are raised. The Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership will be located just east of and adjacent to Bright House Networks Stadium. Construction is expected to begin in mid- to late 2014.