University of Iowa receives $10 million to support football program

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By Steve Batterson | Wednesday, November 5, 2008 5:16 PM CST | () comments

IOWA CITY – Two native Iowans are each providing $5 million leadership gifts to support renovation and expansion of football training and practice facilities at the University of Iowa.

The combined $10 million donation made by Bruce Rastetter of Alden, Iowa, and Richard O. Jacobson of Des Moines will fund a portion of the next phase in the university’s master plan for football facilities.

Director of athletics Gary Barta announced the gift Wednesday for the project that is in the early planning stages. No tax dollars or monies from the university’s general fund will be used for the project that Barta estimates will cost at least “$20 million if not in excess of that.’’

Plans include new or renovated administrative offices, weight-training, locker and training room facilities, an indoor practice facility to replace the current “bubble’’ that is nearing the end of its expected life and a public space to display memorabilia of Hawkeye history and traditions.

No timetable has been set for construction and Barta indicated the project could be split into two phases if securing donations to fund the project becomes an issue.

“This gives us an opportunity to have first-class facilities for use by our student-athletes and it will give us facilities on par with other institutions. We’re not talking about anything lavish, simply something nice and usable for our players,’’ Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz said.

“We’ll never have the nicest player’s lounge in the Big Ten. I’m not interested in having first-team all-Big Ten pool players, but I do want our program to have first-rate facilities.’’

So does Rastetter, an Iowa graduate who is the chief executive of officer of Hawkeye Energy Holdings, an ethanol company based in his north-central Iowa hometown, and the former owner of Heartland Pork, one of the nation’s largest pork producers.

“For Iowa as a state to be successful, we must renew commitments to our institutions to help them compete,’’ Rastetter said. “One of the things my family and friends take great pride in is the Iowa football program and this is one way we can help make a difference.’’

Jacobson, chairman of the board emeritus of Jacobson Companies, previously provided the naming gift for the Jacobson Athletics Building where Iowa football coaches are currently housed.

Wednesday’s donations match the largest single gifts received by the Iowa athletics department.

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.