CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will re-dedicate the Ubben Basketball Complex on February 10 in a ceremony that will highlight the generous support of dozens of the athletic program's most influential donors. 

The complex, which serves as the daily home for the Fighting Illini women's and men's basketball programs, recently concluded a two-year renovation that doubled the facility's size, while incorporating the nation's best technologies and advancements in sports performance, sports medicine, sports science, sports nutrition and basketball training.

"The renovation and expansion of the Ubben Basketball Complex stands as one of the most notable accomplishments of our recently completed With Illinois campaign," said Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. "When it was originally built, Ubben set the national standard for basketball facilities and helped drive a decade of unparalleled programmatic success. With this project, Ubben again becomes the preeminent practice facility in all of college basketball. We are already beginning to see its impact on the court, as evidenced by last year's Big Ten men's championship and our ability to recruit a coach like Shauna Green, who has led one of women's basketball's most impressive turnaround stories."

"This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many of our most trusted and loyal donors," continued Whitman. "From former student-athletes to long-time season ticketholders to loyal alumni, the widespread generosity we have experienced related to this project has been both humbling and inspiring. This building will stand as a reminder to all who enter it of not only our program's commitment to excellence but also the generosity of so many who helped make this championship vision a reality."

The $40 million project is being financed completely by DIA's self-supporting funds, including more than $34 million in private donations pledged to date. There are 91 unique gifts from 77 donors that range from $100 to $5 million. Notably, 15 men's and women's basketball alumni have committed to gifts totaling more than $9.6 million toward the project. 

In the women's gymnasium, the floor will be named the Benson Family Court, honoring the family of Jim Benson, a proud Illinois alumnus who gave one of the lead gifts to the Ubben project and who has made significant past contributions to Fighting Illini Athletics, including the State Farm Center renovation. On the men's side, the gym floor will bear the name of two of the most iconic figures in the history of Illinois basketball, Mannie Jackson and Jerry Colangelo. Jackson and Colangelo, both former letterwinners, professional sports owners, international basketball leaders, inaugural members of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame and inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, have become pioneers in the world of sport and forged a  friendship at the University of Illinois that will now be forever memorialized on the Ubben men's court. 

"Ubben is an absolute game changer for our program," said head women's coach Shauna Green. "It gives our student-athletes everything they need to be elite under one roof. From basketball, academics, strength & conditioning, athletic training, nutrition, to our own recovery room with top-of-the-line equipment they can prepare to be the best version of themselves every day. This facility will serve our players now and will attract top level recruits from around the nation. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make Ubben a reality and one of the best basketball facilities in the country."

The Ubben Complex opened in 1998 as one of the nation's first stand-alone basketball practice facilities, offering equal space and training opportunities for both the men's and women's programs. 

"I talk about it all the time; the passion for Fighting Illini basketball is unrivaled," said head men's coach Brad Underwood. "There is no better testament to that support than the way our donors answered the call to make the renovation and expansion of the Ubben Basketball Complex happen. Because of their loyalty to this University and their dedication to our program, we stand here today with the preeminent basketball training center in the country. Our players are striving to be the best, and Ubben provides the best-in-class facility for us to work together to achieve our goals."

Major Donor-Named Spaces in the Ubben Basketball Complex

• John & Anne Dossey Student-Athlete Development Center
• CA Ventures/Scott Family Strength & Conditioning Center
• Meyers & Elle Leonard Performance Recovery Lounge
• Don & Anne Edwards Grand Atrium
• Rick Schmidt Academic Achievement Wall
• Passaneau Family Circle Drive
• Nesbitt Family Player Corridor
• Dennis & Katharine Swanson Sports Medicine Center
• Steve & Christy King Hydrotherapy Suite
• Tresnowski Family Nutrition Center
• Mannie Jackson & Jerry Colangelo Court
• Benson Family Court
• Dan & Diane Zerrusen Family Donor Wall
• Jim & Jenny Gillespie Women's Basketball Office Suite
• Steven W. Lanter Head Men's Basketball Coach's Office
• John Santogrossi & Jane Romweber Santogrossi Head Women's Basketball Coach's Office
• Kelly & Jill Mark Women's Basketball Locker Room & Team Lounge
• Bryan & Patti Ingram Men's Basketball Locker Room
• Mary Kay & Edward Haben Men's Basketball Team Lounge
• Mark & Bonnie Goldenberg Women's Basketball Team Room
• John & Bonnie Dauer Men's Basketball Team Room
• Jeff & Jodi Kautz Men's Basketball Conference Room
• Steve Y. Choi Nike Shoe & Uniform Display
• Tim Mitchell Nike Shoe & Uniform Display
• C. Michael "Doc" & Deanna Murphy Men's & Women's Basketball Head Strength & Conditioning Coaches' Offices