Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center | Make a Gift

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman and his wife, Hope, have pledged a $100,000 donation to the construction of the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Center, the new state-of-the-art training facility for Fighting Illini Football. The gift will name a corridor in the building that recognizes all former letterwinners as the Josh and Hope Whitman Alumni Hall.

"Hope and I are making this gift to solidify our personal commitment, both financially and emotionally, to this transformative project and the benefits it will provide for our student-athletes and our program," Whitman said. "As a former player, I feel especially committed to ensuring all letterwinners feel welcome and connected to this program. As with every college football team, bridging the gap between generations can be a challenge, and it was a priority for me in designing and building the Smith Center."

Whitman joins a growing number of former Illinois football players who have made investments into the facility. Former offensive lineman Stu Levenick kicked off the fundraising with a $5 million gift. The project has also seen significant donations from, among others, the family of former offensive lineman Kai Anderson, former offensive linemen Bill Castonzo and Bob Noelke, and former wide receiver Chad Ruskey and former quarterback Rich Erickson.

"We are extremely excited that the Smith Center Alumni Hall will bear the Whitman name," Director of the Varsity I Lee Zerrusen said. "While he currently serves as the Director of Athletics, the foundation of Josh's Illinois experience was built during his time as a student-athlete.  Through this gift, our student-athletes will better understand the legacy of those that came before them and the history that they are now a part of.

"To date, former Illinois football players have pledged more than $6.5 million to this project, demonstrating their commitment to the current generation of Illini and providing them the opportunity to compete at the highest level," Zerrusen said. "We are very grateful to Josh and Hope, and our other alumni, who have embraced our bold vision for the future of Illinois Football."

Whitman was a four-year starting tight end for Illinois from 1997-2000 and two-time First Team Academic All-American. Whitman has two Illinois degrees, graduating with Bronze Tablet honors in 2001 while earning a bachelor's degree in finance, and again in 2008 when he graduated summa cum laude from the Illinois College of Law.

The Josh and Hope Whitman Alumni Hall will include an interactive display featuring the names of all former Illinois football players, along with select accomplishments, photographs and videos.

The Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center, set to be completed in July, will be a 107,650-square-foot facility adjoining the south end of the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. The $80 million football performance facility will feature new and expanded strength and conditioning and sports medicine space, coaches' offices, position meeting rooms, player development areas, locker rooms, and other areas for recruiting and prospect hosting.

The gift counts toward the $300 million fundraising goal for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, which is part of "With Illinois," the recently announced $2.25 billion University-wide fundraising campaign.