Drake Athletics today announced the public launch of fundraising for the Knapp Center Renovation Project with the announcement of the Schickler Challenge. To encourage philanthropic support of the Knapp Center Renovation Project, Claudia and Paul Schickler will match every gift to the project up to $1 million through December 2, 2021. The $1 million pledge is in addition to a $2 million gift by the couple in the fall of 2019, bringing their total support to the renovation project to $3 million.
The Schickler Challenge allows donors to double the impact of their gift, and multi-year pledges are eligible for the matching gift. For example, a $30,000 pledge over three years can be paid as $10,000 each year and will be matched by the Schicklers, making it a total gift of $60,000. To date, $525,000 has been committed to the Schickler Challenge through a quiet fundraising phase which the Schickler's have matched bringing the total to $1,050,000.
"We are incredibly appreciative of the support Paul and Claudia Schickler give to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, as well as the vision they have for the Knapp Center," Drake director of athletics Brian Hardin said. "The Schicklers continue to inspire all of us at Drake Athletics to achieve more and our hope is this challenge gift will motivate other individuals and businesses to support Des Moines' Hometown Team."
The first phase of the Knapp Center Renovation Project - planned for summer of 2022 - will transform the game day experience for fans and student-athletes and includes enhancements to seating, hospitality, and concessions spaces as well as the creation of premium seating options and new athletic training space.
The corners of the lower level will be filled in to form a continuous seating bowl in the lower level of the arena. The addition of seating to the corner of the lower level will not only make for a more intimate gathering but also intensify the atmosphere of the Knapp Center. The creation of exclusive premium seating options in the corners as well as first four rows along the north and south sidelines will add new seating options for fans.
Upgrades to concessions spaces, including the addition of a concessions lounge, will improve the experience of every fan that enters the Knapp Center.
The project also includes new athletic training and hydrotherapy space to be located near the locker rooms of the men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams, which will provide a much needed expansion for student-athlete health and wellness.
"The Knapp Center has been a wonderful facility for our community over the past 30 years," Hardin said. "From Drake sporting events to graduation ceremonies of Drake and local high schools, from Bucksbaum lectures to external rentals and much more, more than 150,000 people visit the Knapp Center each year. This is our moment to transform this great building for the next generation of events that will be celebrated in our community."
To learn more about the Schickler Challenge and the Knapp Center Renovation Project, visit DrakeTix.com/KnappCenterRenovation. Gifts can be made directly to the project via the website, and to discuss giving to the project, please contact Matt Lyons, Sr. Associate Athletics Director at matt.lyons@drake.edu or at 515-271-4628.
