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Building a major facility in these economic times requires significant support. One family of Drury University alumni recognized that need and is giving the final major gift to finish construction costs for the O’Reilly Family Event Center. KSMU’s Adam Murphy reports.
Craig and Tracy Curry are both Drury graduates and they say they remember their time on campus fondly. Craig Curry is the chairman and chief executive officer for Central Bank in Lebanon.
“Drury was so good to us back in the early 80s, and it’s done nothing but improve, and today is just one more reason. And seeing the youth here and the facilities and the opportunities they have, is one reason why Tracy and I wanted to make this commitment to give back to an organization, a community, an institution that has given so much to us,” he said.
The Curry family is giving back to the university by donating $500,000 for the O’Reilly Family Event Center. In recognition of the gift, Drury’s athletic field and training facilities will be named the Curry Sports Complex. Craig Curry says that the center will be more than just a sports arena; it will also benefit the entire Drury campus and the community.
“This O’Reilly center and the sports complex is going to be used by Springfield Public Schools. It’s going to be a great enhancement to our athletes here on campus. It’s going to take them to another level and let them have the opportunity to compete with the best. Plus, the O’Reilly Center is just a wonderful event. It’s much more than a sports auditorium; it’s going to host concerts and stuff, so this is just bringing Drury up to a different level,” said Curry.
According to the university, the Gold LEED certified, 3,100 seat event center is scheduled to open in October with a series of ten opening events throughout the month.
For KSMU News, I’m Adam Murphy.