Drury Receives Gift for New Arena

Wednesday, December 26 2007 (07:56AM) | Posted by Kathryn Vicat-Dlabach (DSA) | Downtown

The O'Reilly family has pledged $6 million toward a $12 million state-of-the-art events center at Drury University.

The new center will be called the O'Reilly Family Event Center, where Drury graduation, athletic and community events will take place. The family founded O'Reilly Auto Parts in Springfield, Mo., in 1957.

The events center will serve as the new home for the tradition-rich Panther and Lady Panther basketball programs, both currently ranked in the Top 10 nationally in NCAA Division II, as well as other constituencies.

“Our family is very excited to be able to kick off the fundraising for the new arena at Drury, and we feel this is an important step for the future of the university,” said Rosalie O'Reilly Wooten, a 1964 Drury graduate.

“We have a strong family history with Drury,” she added. “Many of our family members graduated from Drury, and we're happy to be offered this opportunity to give back to a university that has done so much for us.”

Other O'Reilly family members who graduated from the university include Larry P. O'Reilly '68; Dr. Nancy Tisdale O'Reilly '71; their daughter, Lauren '92; David E. O'Reilly '71; David's daughter and son, Lindsay'02 and Matthew '03; Justin French (Lindsay's spouse) '94; and Mary Beth Murney O'Reilly '88.

“Thanks to the O'Reilly family's generosity, Drury will have a first-class, LEED-certified arena in which to hold national sporting, cultural and entertainment events,” said Todd Parnell, interim president of Drury. LEED-certified means the building uses sustainable materials.

“This is a major boost for Drury University and the Springfield community,” he continued.

“The new O'Reilly Family Event Center will enhance our fan base, help us recruit students and make Drury a possible future site for the NCAA-II national tournament,” said Edsel Matthews, vice president for athletic affairs and community relations.

Groundbreaking for the 4,000+-seat arena will take place this spring. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2009.

The facility, to be located on the Drury campus just south of and adjoining Weiser Gymnasium, will feature:

A large area for students to congregate and enjoy refreshments Air-conditioned space for a wide range of Drury and community events, including Drury's Commencement Expanded and improved spaces for academic instruction in physical education and exercise physiology and an advanced area for athletic training and rehabilitation Luxury boxes positioned directly behind the teams' benches An events hall on the southeast corner that will provide an expansive view of Springfield and provide sufficient space for post-game activities, meetings and conferences A Hall of Fame area where Drury athletics will be celebrated Varsity dressing rooms Coaches' offices A conference room that can double as a booster or press room.

To learn more about the new arena project, please visit Drury University.