YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – In the spirit of the holiday season, a $2.5 million gift to the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics was announced today, Dec. 7. The gift, which will support Phase Two of the Championship Building Plan, is provided by EMU Regent Emeritus Phil Incarnati.

Additionally, the EMU Board of Regents approved the second phase of the Championship Building Plan, which includes the resurfacing of Rynearson Stadium, building a new outdoor track & field complex, and an upgrade of Oestrike Stadium. Renderings and timelines will be made available at a later date.

In recognition of Incarnati's generosity, which includes prior support of $1.5 million to Phase One of the Championship Building Plan, the Student-Athlete Performance Center will be renamed in his honor. Dedicated in 2019, the 63,000-square-foot structure houses the football team's locker rooms, offices, and meeting spaces, as well as housing EMU's sports medicine, sports performance, and equipment operations.

"Eastern Michigan University has been a big part of my life and that of my children, all EMU graduates," said Incarnati. "Collectively, we are honored to play a part in advancing the performance of EMU's student-athletes on the field and in the classroom."

Incarnati is a two-time graduate of Eastern Michigan University, holding both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Business Administration. As a student, he competed for the EMU football team, earning a scholarship to play strong safety. Incarnati's legacy at EMU runs deep as he served on the Board of Regents from 1992-2010, including serving as Chair for 10 years (1995-2005).

He currently serves as President and CEO of McLaren Health Care, one of Michigan's largest employers, generating $7 billion in annual revenue and employing nearly 30,000 people. The system has operations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, including 12 acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering 700,000 lives in Michigan and Indiana.

"I appreciate Mr. Incarnati's support of both Phase One and Two of our Championship Building Plan," Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee added. "President Smith and I are excited that the Board of Regents approved the naming of the Student-Athlete Performance Center to the Incarnati Athletic Center. Phil and his family have dedicated so much to this University and it is only fitting that his name will be recognized by our university and our athletics department."
    
Eastern Athletics continues to develop a comprehensive and transformative vision to enhance academic opportunities, improve health and well-being for all students, and update athletic facilities to positively impact the community and all those connected to the University.

EMU football/current Las Vegas Raiders standout Maxx Crosby, along with his wife/former EMU soccer student-athlete, Rachel, announced on Oct. 30 that they have committed $1 million to the EMU Athletics Department to help advance the project.

Heavily supported by fundraising efforts, Phase One of the Championship Building Plan was initially approved in December 2017 with the approval for construction of the newly-named Incarnati Athletic Center, which officially opened Aug. 27, 2019.