University of Evansville receives gift to name newly renovated Begle Family Sports Performance Center
The gift comes from Board of Trustees member and alumnus Curt Begle and his wife, alumna Kelley Begle.
The University of Evansville recently opened its newly renovated Sports Performance Center, which now bears the name of the Begle Family, thanks to their financial support and leadership within the university and its community. The Begles are both university alumni. The renovations for the Begle Family Sports Performance Center are expected to improve the student athlete experience.
According to article on the University of Evansville’s website, Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried, who serves as the university’s Director of Athletics, was quoted as saying of the renovations, “When I first arrived at UE, it was clear to me that the greatest facility need for our entire department was a new sports performance center that could serve all 300 of our student-athletes. The Begle Family Sports Performance Center will transform the student-athlete experience at UE and provide our coaches with a first-class tool for recruiting the brightest and best. We are deeply grateful to the Begle family and to all of our supporters who stepped forward to make this vision a reality.”
The Begle Family Sports Performance Center renovation project cost about $800,000, which was funded entirely through private donations, like the one from the Begles. The Center serves more than 300 student athletes on campus who participate in the university’s 17 NCAA Division I programs. The Center has space for athlete recovery, training, and development.
The Begles both have inside knowledge of the university’s sports programs and what it is like to be a student athlete. Curt Beagle, who graduated from the university in 1999, was on the Purple Aces men’s basketball team, which, in 1999, was the last UE team to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Kelley graduated from the university in 2000, and she had been a member of the cheer team and the Acettes.
Curt noted, “Kelley and I know the lessons athletics instill last a lifetime, including teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. UE made those lessons real for me, and it has been our privilege to give back. We are proud that this support will help every student-athlete pursue excellence here and step into the world ready to lead.”
Today, Curt is the CEO of the Magnera Corporation. He is a member of the Board of Trustees since 2019, the co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Plane Crash Task Force, and a member of the Athletic Director’s Council. Kelley has helped host university events and has been heavily involved with multiple university sports.
Speaking of the Begle Family Sports Performance Center, Head Men’s Basketball Coach David Ragland said, “This project will give all student-athletes the resources they need to grow physically and mentally, supporting their overall well-being and helping them perform at their best in every aspect of their college experience.”
Further planned improvements of the Begle Family Sports Performance Center will focus on the overall wellbeing of student athletes with emphasis on nutrition and strengthening community connections.
For more information about the University of Evansville, visit the school’s website.