The Cullen Trust for Higher Education (CTHE), a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to investing in high-performing education organizations, has pledged a $3 million gift toward the construction of a new multi-purpose sports complex on the Southwestern University campus.

Along with CTHE’s generous contribution comes a challenge to the Southwestern community to match another $3 million in gifts for the facility. The pledge officially kicks off fundraising efforts for the complex.

“As a former student-athlete, I fully appreciate the value of athletic competition to a great university,” CTHE Chairman Corby Robertson said. “It brings the campus together and provides golden moments of achievement and learning experiences from disappointment. Both create growth opportunities for the students and faculty. Teamwork and enthusiasm are lifelong ingredients for success! The CTHE congratulates Southwestern University on this important development in the life of an inspiring campus!”

Southwestern University Athletics and Facilities Management are making preparations to build a new multi-purpose sports complex on the site of the current football practice field east of campus. Included in the preliminary plans are grandstands for both the football field and the track and field area, a stadium press box, a synthetic turf playing surface, scoreboards, a visiting team locker room complex, and ticket windows. Site surveys have been completed and the request for proposal (RFP) process is in development.

“The Robertson Family and the Cullen Trust for Higher Education continue to be amazing supporters of Southwestern University and our students,” Southwestern University Athletic Director Ken Ralph said. “This is an exciting project for the future of athletics as well as the future of the campus. We are excited to meet the challenge of the match so we can begin development of this important facility.”

The proposed stadium portion of the multi-purpose sports complex will not only bring football back to SU’s campus for the first time since 1950, but can also be utilized by other Pirate athletic teams. The synthetic turf playing surface will be adaptable to other sports, including intramurals.

With over one-third of Southwestern students taking part in intercollegiate athletics, the multi-purpose sports complex is a necessity for student-athlete recruitment and retention. Outside of athletics, the complex will be designed to serve as a central gathering point for many large University events, such as Commencement. The project aligns with one of the core themes of Thrive: The Campaign for Southwestern – building for tomorrow to ensure that SU’s classrooms, research facilities, and gathering places are of the highest quality.

“Corby, the Robertson family, and the CTHE have continued to play a leadership role at Southwestern University in improving the student experience and creating opportunities for students to succeed,” Vice President for University Relations Marie Muhvic said. “We hope this challenge inspires others to step forward with them in making this vision a reality. There are opportunities for support at varying levels and it will take alumni, parents, and friends coming together to achieve this goal.”

Those interested in making a gift to the multi-purpose sports complex project can visit thrive.southwestern.edu or contact Vice President for University Relations Marie Muhvic via email at mmuhvic@southwestern.edu or by phone at 512.863.1484.