A day after a record-setting win over the Colts, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is giving back to the college he called home – Miami University.
The graduate and his wife are donating $1 million towards the Universities Indoor Sports Center.
Here’s the press release from the University:
Miami University, which has been graduating champions since 1809, took a major step forward on Monday (Oct. 27), with the announcement that Ben Roethlisberger, a 2012 graduate and two-time Super Bowl Champion (2005, 2008) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has made a commitment to Miami Athletics. He and his wife Ashley have agreed to donate $1 million towards the Indoor Sports Center.
“This gift is a huge thank you to everything, on and off the field, that Miami University provided me,” said Roethlisberger. “Attending Miami was one of the best decisions of my life and I am happy to play a small part in helping to rebuild this football program.”
The Indoor Sports Center, which is expected to be completed in January, will feature a full-length 120 yard playing surface that will be called “Ben Roethlisberger Field.” The Indoor Sports Center will positively impact all 19 of Miami’s sports programs and allow teams to train year-round.
In his time at Miami, Roethlisberger completed 854-of-1,304 pass attempts for 10,829 yards and 84 touchdowns from 2001-03. His junior campaign was one for the ages, throwing for 4,486 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading Miami to 12-consecutive wins, including a Mid-American Conference Championship and GMAC Bowl victory. That season alone, he captured third-team All-American honors and was just the third player in Miami history to garner the Vern Smith Award as the Mid-American Conference Most Valuable Player. Roethlisberger to this day still ranks first in Miami history in completion percentage (.655) and touchdowns, and is second in pass attempts, completions, yards and total offense (11,075).
“I want to thank Ben and Ashley for their support of Miami Athletics,” said Athletics Director David Sayler. “This gift continues our vision to make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes and that includes winning MAC Championships. I am thankful that both Ben and Ashley share in that same vision.”
That vision includes improving facilities across the board at Miami. Earlier this season Millett Hall got a face-lift with the addition of red seats and improved lighting. The new weight and conditioning room inside Goggin Ice Center was completed prior to the start of the hockey season. The Legacy Project at Hayden Park is currently underway. Improvements there include locker rooms, offices for the coaching staff and training equipment.
The Red & White Club shattered its previous numbers in terms of donors and dollars raised – exceeding records from 2013 by more than 200 new members and raising nearly $900,000 in annual scholarship gifts. More than 300 active members increased their giving to help reach that number. A unique part of Red & White Club support last year came from having 100 percent contributions from all student-athletes, coaches and staff.
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