London donates $225K to indoor practice facility

Virginia head football coach Mike London has made a $225,000 pledge to support construction of the University of Virginia’s new indoor practice facility. London’s pledge brings the total amount committed to the project to almost $9.5 million. The total cost of the project is $13 million.

“The construction of the indoor practice facility is an important part of the effort to make our football program consistently successful,” London said. “That’s why I want to show my personal support for the fundraising effort by making this pledge.

“The indoor facility will be a tremendous benefit for our team’s in-season preparation and out-of-season conditioning. It will allow us the opportunity to attract the types of student-athletes to Virginia who will play an important role in the building of the program. I can’t think of a better way to express my commitment to the University and to the football program than to personally make a gift to this important project.”

“Coach London’s generosity toward the indoor practice facility makes a very clear point about its importance; this is our top priority,” said Virginia athletics director Craig Littlepage. “The indoor practice facility will get year-round use and I see it as a necessity for our football team. Mike’s gift will continue momentum toward the progress in building the program.

In September, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors approved a plan to build a new 78,000 square foot facility on the site of one of the existing football practice fields adjacent to the McCue Center. Approval from the Board of Visitors allowed the athletics department to move forward with its $13 million fund raising effort. This effort must be completed by the end of February 2012 in order for construction to begin in time for the facility to be ready for spring practice in 2013. All pledges must be in place before construction can begin.