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Illinois basketball alumnus donates $2.5 million for facility renovation project
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Illinois is in the midst of a plan to renovate the Ubben Basketball Complex, and it recently received a very generous donation to help fund the project.
The Illini have been gifted $2.5 million by former Illinois basketball player Steve Lanter, the program announced on Wednesday.
As a result, the men’s basketball locker room, ready room and the new head men’s basketball coach’s office will be dedicated in Lanter’s name.
“I grew up as a kid from a small town in southern Illinois, who followed the Illini from childhood,” Lanter said in a release. “I often think back on my decision to attend Illinois and know my life was forever enriched based on my student-athlete experiences at Illinois.”
Lanter played for coach Lou Henson from 1997-1980. He is now the CEO and founder of Lanter Delivery Systems in St. Louis.
“We talk about ‘Illini for Life’, and Steve Lanter embodies that philosophy,” head men’s basketball coach Brad Underwood said in the release. “He wore the jersey, and his commitment to the program has continued long past his playing days. The University of Illinois and Illini Basketball mean a great deal to him, and through his generosity, he is investing in future Fighting Illini and allowing us to provide a world-class experience.”
The Ubben Basketball Complex renovation project is set to add 40,000 square feet of space to the existing building, per the release.
Illinois says it has raised $22 million in commitments for the project and has a goal of reaching $40 million.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.