Laramie – The University of Wyoming has received a $5 million donation – the largest single cash gift in the university’s history – to improve the football stadium and build athletics facilities, Wyoming officials said.
The donors were John and Mari Ann Martin, and Mick and Susie McMurry, all of Casper. The gift will be matched with $5 million from the state and will mean the university is close to raising all the money needed for its $20 million plan to make its athletics more competitive.
Because the donation was largely the result of wealth the two families earned from western Wyoming’s natural gas resources, the field at War Memorial Stadium will be named “Jonah Field” after the Jonah natural gas field near Pinedale.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to memorialize the Jonah natural gas field and to recognize the contributions made from the minerals industry to this university and to the state of Wyoming,” John Martin said in a release.
“We hope that this gift will inspire future UW students and student-athletes to continue the rich traditions of this university.”
“This is an example of keeping the wealth in Wyoming,” said Mick McMurry, who admitted he and his wife are not the “biggest Wyoming football fans.”
The university’s Strategic Plan for Intercollegiate Athletics includes making improvements to 55-year-old War Memorial Stadium, the construction of an indoor football-soccer practice facility and covering the university’s tennis courts.
“The generosity of the Martin and McMurry families is just tremendous,” football coach Joe Glenn said. “On the one hand, it is so symbolic of the love for this university that convinced me and my staff to come to the University of Wyoming in 2003.
“But, it’s also a gift that will absolutely contribute to building our football program – and many other programs at the university, like soccer, tennis, and track – to where we can compete for conference championships year after year. I can’t wait to turn earth for the indoor practice facility, and I sure can’t wait to lead your Cowboys onto Jonah Field in September.”
Wyoming’s largest previous donation was made by Curt and Marian Rochelle, who pledged $4.2 million to the school in 1999.
The legislature last year approved $10 million in matching funds to the Cowboys’ athletics plan, leaving the school to raise $10 million in private donations to complete the $20 million plan.
Ben Blalock, Wyoming’s vice president for institutional advancement, said another major cash gift will be announced shortly that will complete the university’s $10 million match.
Athletics director Gary Barta said artificial turf is being installed at the football stadium and concourse areas are being improved this summer. An outdoor track will be built next summer, he said.
“The rest of our plans are being finalized, but I can assure you they are aggressive,” Barta said. “We would like to begin construction on the tennis courts, indoor practice facility, and the remaining stadium enhancements in 2006 and have everything completed by 2007.”
