Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Athletics Announces a $1,000,000 Challenge Gift
11/24/2021 2:00:00 PM | General
The gift is provided by former EMU Board of Regents Chair Phil Incarnati
Click Here to Make Your Own Gift.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - In the spirit of #GIVINGTRUEDAY, a $1,000,000 challenge gift to the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics was announced today, Nov. 24. The gift, which will support the Student-Athlete Performance Center, is provided by EMU Regent Emeritus Phil Incarnati.
The challenge gift was given to the university to galvanize interest and financial support for the first newly constructed building on the athletics campus since 1998.
"I am delighted to partner with EMU on this challenge gift benefiting intercollegiate athletics," said Incarnati. "EMU has been a very special place to me and my family, and the gift is a token of that affection."
The Student-Athlete Performance Center was the first major construction project on the athletics campus since the opening of the Convocation Center in 1998. The SAPC is the first phase of the athletic department's plan to build a safe and highly-effective atmosphere for its student-athletes through the continual revitalization of its facilities and athletic campus.
Breaking ground in the fall of 2018 and opening in August 2019, the new performance center provides a 63,000 square foot structure that houses the sports medicine, sports performance and equipment operations areas. Additionally, the facility has locker rooms, coaches' offices, and meeting spaces for the football team, while also including a video board inside Rynearson Stadium. Designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at Eastern Michigan, the two story building offers a wide variety of operational spaces and amenities which allow for that goal to be met. All EMU student-athletes have access to the world-class resources that are provided inside the building.
"I am so thankful for former Regent Incarnati's second major gift toward the championship building plan," added EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "We accept his challenge to raise another $1,000,000 in support of our student-athletes. It is alumni like him that continue to allow us to move Eastern Athletics forward and provide the best student-athlete experience."
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 the Chief Executive Officer and President for McLaren Health Care. His vision and leadership has seen the McLaren system grow to include 16 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, an employed primary care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 700,000 lives, home health, and hospice providers, retail medical equipment showrooms, pharmacy services, and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company.
To learn more about how to make a matching gift in support of the Student-Athlete Performance Center, contact Dan McLean, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development at (734.487.8236 or e-mail dmclean4@emich.edu).
This gift is in support of the University wide 'Give Rise: The Campaign for Eastern Michigan University', Eastern Michigan's most ambitious fundraising effort to date. The $100 million dollar comprehensive campaign endeavors to support each student's success, advance our programs of distinction and help our students excel beyond the classroom. To date, the University has realized $83 million towards its goal.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and has been among the league's most successful members. The Division I program boasts 154 MAC team championships, the most of any team in the league during that span. Eastern Michigan, which has had a representative at every summer Olympics since 1960, has won 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles since 1932.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit emich.edu.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - In the spirit of #GIVINGTRUEDAY, a $1,000,000 challenge gift to the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics was announced today, Nov. 24. The gift, which will support the Student-Athlete Performance Center, is provided by EMU Regent Emeritus Phil Incarnati.
The challenge gift was given to the university to galvanize interest and financial support for the first newly constructed building on the athletics campus since 1998.
"I am delighted to partner with EMU on this challenge gift benefiting intercollegiate athletics," said Incarnati. "EMU has been a very special place to me and my family, and the gift is a token of that affection."
The Student-Athlete Performance Center was the first major construction project on the athletics campus since the opening of the Convocation Center in 1998. The SAPC is the first phase of the athletic department's plan to build a safe and highly-effective atmosphere for its student-athletes through the continual revitalization of its facilities and athletic campus.
Breaking ground in the fall of 2018 and opening in August 2019, the new performance center provides a 63,000 square foot structure that houses the sports medicine, sports performance and equipment operations areas. Additionally, the facility has locker rooms, coaches' offices, and meeting spaces for the football team, while also including a video board inside Rynearson Stadium. Designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at Eastern Michigan, the two story building offers a wide variety of operational spaces and amenities which allow for that goal to be met. All EMU student-athletes have access to the world-class resources that are provided inside the building.
"I am so thankful for former Regent Incarnati's second major gift toward the championship building plan," added EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "We accept his challenge to raise another $1,000,000 in support of our student-athletes. It is alumni like him that continue to allow us to move Eastern Athletics forward and provide the best student-athlete experience."
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 the Chief Executive Officer and President for McLaren Health Care. His vision and leadership has seen the McLaren system grow to include 16 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, an employed primary care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 700,000 lives, home health, and hospice providers, retail medical equipment showrooms, pharmacy services, and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company.
To learn more about how to make a matching gift in support of the Student-Athlete Performance Center, contact Dan McLean, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development at (734.487.8236 or e-mail dmclean4@emich.edu).
This gift is in support of the University wide 'Give Rise: The Campaign for Eastern Michigan University', Eastern Michigan's most ambitious fundraising effort to date. The $100 million dollar comprehensive campaign endeavors to support each student's success, advance our programs of distinction and help our students excel beyond the classroom. To date, the University has realized $83 million towards its goal.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and has been among the league's most successful members. The Division I program boasts 154 MAC team championships, the most of any team in the league during that span. Eastern Michigan, which has had a representative at every summer Olympics since 1960, has won 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles since 1932.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit emich.edu.
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