As plans for the new Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership get underway, UCF Athletics has just announced a $1 million gift commitment to the project from the Williams Family Foundation.
The new sports center, named in honor of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust’s $4 million gift to the project, will serve as the headquarters for personal, professional and academic development of nearly 500 Knights student-athletes.
Leonard Williams, a trustee of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust, was a key part of the recent $1 million gift — saying he and his family felt compelled to personally make a large contribution.
“On behalf of my family and in support of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust, I felt there was a need to ensure this project became a reality,” Williams said.
The project cost is estimated at $6 million for the three-story, 22,000-square-foot structure — housing a variety of classrooms, labs, study spaces and resource rooms.
“We are very grateful to the Williams family for this generous gift,” said UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury. “Thanks to this commitment from the Williams Family Foundation, our current and future Everyday Champion student-athletes will be able to utilize all the benefits the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership will provide for years to come.”
The Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership will be located just east of and adjacent to Bright House Networks Stadium. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. at the site. Construction is set to begin in January, with the project slated for completion in Fall 2015.
