University of Illinois alumnus Larry Gies has donated $100 million to the university’s athletics program—the largest gift in its history. In recognition, the school will rename Memorial Stadium to Gies Memorial Stadium, both to honor Gies and his late father, a U.S. Army veteran. The donation will fund major stadium upgrades, including audio-visual improvements, and support broader athletic initiatives. This gift continues Gies’ philanthropic legacy at Illinois, where the College of Business is already named after him following an earlier donation. The renaming also serves as a tribute to military service, tying into the stadium’s original commemorative purpose.

Ohio State recently honored philanthropists Frank Stanton and Lee Shackelford with its top giving awards: Stanton was posthumously awarded the Everett D. Reese Medal for exceptional private philanthropy, while Shackelford received the John B. Gerlach Sr. Development Volunteer Award in recognition of her tireless support of university fundraising. Stanton—an alumnus and former CBS president—was praised for his founding support of the Salmon P. Chase Center and a large donation to veterinary medicine, among other contributions.  Shackelford, also an alumna, has long backed mental health initiatives at Ohio State, including creating a named chair in psychiatry, and was lauded for her sustained commitment to the university’s philanthropic mission.

IMontana Tech has established the Digger Green Athletic Endowment, a $1.2 million fund aimed at supporting student‑athletes through annual scholarships (about $48,000/year in new aid) for sports Coach Bob Green once led, including football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. The endowment honors Green’s legacy—he coached from 1987 to 2010, became the winningest coach in school history, made five NAIA playoff appearances and a national championship game, and was widely beloved in the community. Founders such as Eric and Christi Jacobsen, among other major donors, have already committed over $1 million toward the initiative. The goal is to grow the fund even further, with an ultimate target of $5 million.

Gainbridge, Parity, and the Women’s Sports Foundation awarded $222,000 in the third annual Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity grant program to 32 organizations and athletes in 2025, spread across 21 states.  Each of the 32 recipients will get at least $5,000 toward events or projects that support girls or women in sports and/or education. Special larger grants include $50,000 to the Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, and $22,000 to the Caitlin Clark Foundation. The program is inspired by Billie Jean King’s founding of the Women’s Sports Foundation with a $5,000 check, and its aim is to promote equity, access, leadership, and opportunity for women and girls through sport and education.

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton made a meaningful return—albeit still in a protective boot—to the court at his youth basketball camp in Westfield, Indiana, roughly two months into his recovery from an Achilles tendon surgery that will sideline him for the entire upcoming season. Walking in the boot and engaging with over 300 campers brought back his trademark smile and served as a morale boost during a season of rehab. He celebrated every small milestone—such as being able to pose for photos and conduct interviews—and noted the support from fellow injured athletes like WNBA All‑Star Caitlin Clark and teammates who have undergone similar recoveries, which provides him with camaraderie and encouragement.

ports—from youth tournaments to professional events—have become a powerful economic engine for Hamilton County. Central to this transformation is Grand Park, which over the last decade has drawn around five million visitors annually and fueled widespread development along key corridors. In 2024, sports tourism delivered an economic impact of about $42 million, with 2025 already nearing $39 million even before tallying LIV Golf contributions. New arenas, like the Fishers Event Center and a future venue in Noblesville, are not only expanding access to entertainment but also attracting visitors who bed down in hotels, dine locally, and shop in downtown districts—boosting the county’s broader economy. Rather than competing, these investments are creating complementary opportunities region‑wide, strengthening the area’s identity and community via the unifying power of sports.