The proposed $4.5 million creation of the Vadalabene Center Lukas Athletics Annex will include the creation of roughly 29,100-square-feet of space for Intercollegiate Athletics offices. A total of $4.2 million for the project was a gift from the Charles S. and Mary L. Lukas Estate.
As an NCAA Division I program, SIUE Intercollegiate Athletics provides academic opportunities for deserving student-athletes, including many first-generation college students, bringing distinction to the University and excitement to campus life through the highest level of intercollegiate competition. Our student-athletes are engaged members of the campus and metro-east community, putting academics first and giving back through community service.
Now more than ever our facilities and programs must meet or exceed those of our fellow NCAA Division I competitors. It is crucial in the coming years, as we solidify our NCAA Division I participation, that our athletics programs have access to the resources they need to successfully compete at this level.
A planned future project will involve the renovation of the space that will be vacated upon the completion of the Annex. After it is refreshed, the existing space will be used for kinesiology and allied health education.
