Notre Dame announced today that it will soon break ground on a brand new facility for its football program. This will be a nine-figure facility and will provide Irish people with new state-of-the-art facilities.
Below is a release from Notre Dame.
A group of former Notre Dame football student-athletes, led by linebacker Jack Shields, will provide generous support for a new Fighting Irish football facility. This facility will be combined with the existing Guglielmino Athletics Complex (“Gugu”) to accommodate current and ongoing capacity. Future needs of college athletic programs.
The new Jack Shields and Kathy Shields Family Hall promotes team building and personal growth, improves physical conditioning and technical ability, and is home to Notre Dame Research's research in human performance, sports science, medicine and nutrition. Enable collaboration with athletics in academic research.
Other contributors to the facility include Pat and Jana Eilers, Dave and Claire Butler, and other major donors who wish to remain anonymous. Pat Eilers is a former Notre Dame safety. Dave Butler played linebacker for the Irish national team.
Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Pat Kramer and former Irish cornerback Tom Carter are also known for their generous leadership and support. Kramer and Carter are close friends of the Shields family.
Together, five former Notre Dame student-athletes hope to give back to the program that changed their lives and extend the same opportunities to future generations.
The new facility will be located along Courtney Lane on the east side of campus and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2026, allowing for future renovations to the GAG to improve student-athlete performance across Notre Dame's 26 varsity sports. become.
The project will support 150 construction businesses and contribute millions of dollars in wages and taxes to the local economy. Once built, it is expected to support many permanent jobs in the athletics arena and other areas.
“The Shields family's wonderful gift and the support of many others will greatly enhance our ability to support our student-athletes physically, mentally, socially and academically,” said CSC's University of Notre Dame President John. – Rev. I. Jenkins said. . “Notre Dame has long been committed to both athletic success and caring for the health of our student-athletes. This new facility will advance sports science, nutrition and medical research on campus while also It helps you excel on the field.''Benefits athletes everywhere. ”
“We could not be more humbled by the gift from Jack and Kathy Shields and others. This gift will help our student-athletes and staff succeed on the field, in the classroom, and in life. “It's about making sure they have the tools to do that,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor Pete Bevacqua. Mr. James E. Lohr, President and Director of Athletics; “This building is further proof of our support for our football program as we continue to build a premier game-day facility (Notre Dame Stadium), a best-in-class indoor facility (Ireland Athletics Center), and a new operational facility. Center (Jack and Kathy Shields Family Hall). Additionally, this initiative will add over 80,000 square feet dedicated to student-athlete success through renovations to the GAG, continuing our efforts to be the most advanced sports performance unit in collegiate athletics. I can.
“The idea of a former student-athlete investing in the future of Notre Dame football is a strong sign of the vitality of this program.”
At 150,000 square feet, the new facility will have nearly 50 percent more space than Google, which opened in 2005.
This facility includes an advanced training room. Independent sports medicine facility. Equipment facility with body scanning and manufacturing technology. Newly expanded locker room. A two-story all-team auditorium and meeting rooms including an augmented reality walk-through room. Media innovation spaces such as recording studios and photography studios. Academic support space. and a new player nutrition area designed to foster community among teams and model healthy eating.
Jack and Kathy Shields live in Duxbury, Massachusetts and Tampa, Florida. They are the parents of her four children. John, William, Madeline, and Fallon, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2006.
Jack Shields received his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1983 and his law degree from Catholic University in 1986. He served as CEO of specialty pharmacy accelerator Seals Health Solutions until 2021, when the company was acquired by Walgreens. Prior to that, he was president of Shields MRI, New England's largest outpatient imaging provider. He currently serves as the founder and chairman of Shields Health Innovations.
In addition to being a member of the For Good Cabinet, Jack Shields is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Board. He and Kathy are friends with Ted and Ned and belong to the Badin Guild. He also has a family foundation that supports nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts and Florida, including the Brockton Boys and Girls Club and BC High.
In 2019, Shields provided initial funding to Project LAND (Life After Notre Dame). This project, in addition to the university's unique 4 Forever program, provides student-athletes with the tools and resources they need to succeed at Notre Dame and beyond. Carter is his CEO and president of Project LAND. Mr. Eilers is a member of the founding board of directors.
“Shields Hall is more than just a football facility,” said Jack Shields. “Kathy and I wanted to provide a center that would provide resources for the mind, body, and spirit of our players during their time at Notre Dame and beyond. I want to ensure that I can play like a champion and live like a champion for the rest of my life.”
Pat and Jana Eilers live in Winnetka, Illinois. They are the parents of her four children. Elizabeth She graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2015. Katherine, 2017 Notre Dame graduate and former Fighting Irish lacrosse player. Claire, 2020 Notre Dame graduate. and Patrick, who is currently a junior at the University of Notre Dame and a member of the Fighting Irish lacrosse team. Pat and Jana Eilers are members of the Badin Guild. Pat is a member of the Wall Street Leadership Committee, the For Good Cabinet, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Dave and Claire Butler live in Rye, New York. They are parents to the University of Notre Dame and have her four children, Caroline, a 2021 graduate. Margo. Emma, Class of 2023, and her Liam, Class of 2027. In addition to being a member of the Forgood Cabinet, Dave Butler also serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Wall Street Leadership Committee.
Tom Carter is a former All-American player. He was the 17th overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft and played nine seasons with the Redskins, Bears, and Bengals. He holds a master's degree in business from Indiana University and a doctorate in business from Jacksonville University. Projects Prior to joining Land, he served as Director of Player Affairs for the NFL Players Association for 15 years.
Pat Kramer lives in Duxbury, Massachusetts with his wife Mary. They have three children: Dane, Aaron, and Grant. Pat Kramer graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in finance. He is an account executive for Alera Group, an employee benefits company with local, national, and international clients.
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