Gift From Kempf Estate Leads Hilltop Gym Renovation Project

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/valpoathletics/status/1012439710537605122

Gift From Kempf Estate Leads Hilltop Gym Renovation Project
THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018

One of the most historic buildings on the Valparaiso University campus, Hilltop Gym is currently in the midst of a two-year, $600,000 project as the space is renovated and improved to serve as a quality practice facility for the Valpo basketball and volleyball programs. The $350,000 lead gift for the project came from the estate of Dale F. Kempf '62, a longtime faculty member in engineering and physics, and in his honor, the court will be named Kempf Court at Hilltop Gym. The gift supports Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future.

Kempf served Valparaiso University as a member of the engineering faculty from 1964 to 1969 before leaving to pursue an opportunity to work for Eastman Kodak Research Laboratories. Upon his retirement from Kodak as a senior research scientist in the early 1990s, Kempf brought his expertise back to Valpo's faculty, serving for more than 20 years as an adjunct faculty member in engineering and physics. He was granted emeritus status upon his retirement in 2014 and was a fixture at Valpo Athletics events throughout his time as a faculty member and following his retirement as well.

"After his retirement from Kodak, Valparaiso University became a large part of Dale's life," said Kraig Olejniczak '87, former dean of the College of Engineering. "He was incredibly loyal and supportive of his alma mater; he put his money where his heart was. He loved Valpo Athletics in general and basketball in particular. He enjoyed the food, drink and camaraderie of Crusader Club members at halftime of basketball games in Hilltop Gym, and he especially loved when an engineering student would be playing on the men's basketball team. He also loved to watch engineering students at football practice and at games."

Olejniczak and his wife, Beth '87 '07 MSN, serve as co-executors for Kempf's estate, which was responsible for the lead gift for the project. Joe '75 and Jeanne Gillen and Richard "Dick" '59 and Carol '60 Schroer provided additional significant gifts to make the project a reality, while Don Lewis '72 and Lew Keller '60 also supported the project.

"Hilltop Gym, or University Gym as it was originally referred to, has played an important role in the life of the University and many of our students and alumni," said Mark LaBarbera, director of athletics. "We are excited to be celebrating the history and tradition of our Athletics and basketball programs by creating a modern practice and playing space in the building. Having a Division I quality air-conditioned practice facility for our basketball and volleyball programs is an important step forward as we enter our second year of Missouri Valley Conference competition. We are also excited to honor Dale Kempf's long-time contribution to Valpo and our students by placing his name on the court. We appreciate the leadership of Kraig and Beth Olejniczak, Joe Gillen and Dick Schroer in making this project happen."

The upgrades to Hilltop Gym include the installation of air conditioning, new lighting and a permanent wall between the gym and the softball hitting area, as well as treatments to the windows on the south side of the facility. A nutrition center will be added to the area for the use of all Valpo student-athletes, while the finished project will also feature graphics highlighting the history and tradition of Hilltop Gym as a campus venue, as well as the men's and women's basketball and volleyball programs.

"As a program, we are looking forward to taking advantage of the upgrades to Hilltop Gym," said Matt Lottich, men's basketball head coach. "We aspire not only to be one of the top programs in the Missouri Valley Conference, but to be one of the nation's premier mid-major programs. We are thankful that we have donors who share our vision for the program and have helped make these upgrades a reality — to create a practice facility that can help us achieve our goals."

Kempf Court at Hilltop Gym will be officially dedicated as part of Homecoming 2018 festivities this September.

"When Beth and I, as co-executors of Dale's estate, reflected on his love of basketball, halftimes in Hilltop Gym, football games and watching engineering students practice and participate in intercollegiate athletics, it just seemed right to honor and memorialize Dale in this way," said Kraig Olejniczak. "I hope Dale gets a kick out of this project. I have a feeling he will be looking down on Valpo's College of Engineering National Champion robotics football team as they continue their winning ways on their home field — Kempf Court at Hilltop Gym."

The gift from Kempf's estate supports Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, a $250 million endowment campaign focused on raising permanent support for student scholarships, faculty development and programs that prepare students for lives of leadership and service. Forever Valpo was officially launched on Sept. 23, 2016, and has raised more than $180 million.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/athletics/news/2017-18/18292/gift-from-kempf-estate-leads-hilltop-gym-renovation-project/

[agibson]

As I said on Twitter, God bless Dale Kempf (and Kraig and Beth O too).

He taught electronics when I took it in 1997 or so. And I taught with him in physics labs for several years ~20 years after that. I expect the gift would have/will please him. A bit of an odd duck (aren't we all in our ways?), but he was a faithful teacher, and certainly a faithful supporter of VU athletics.

I guess this was a higher priority than ARC renovations? I can certainly see how it'll be a boost to the basketball and volleyball programs.

Did we ever get confirmation on why volleyball can't compete in Hilltop? Is it really the height of the ceiling?

[vu72]

As I said on Twitter, God bless Dale Kempf (and Kraig and Beth O too).

He taught electronics when I took it in 1997 or so. And I taught with him in physics labs for several years ~20 years after that. I expect the gift would have/will please him. A bit of an odd duck (aren't we all in our ways?), but he was a faithful teacher, and certainly a faithful supporter of VU athletics.

I guess this was a higher priority than ARC renovations? I can certainly see how it'll be a boost to the basketball and volleyball programs.

Did we ever get confirmation on why volleyball can't compete in Hilltop? Is it really the height of the ceiling?

I recall being told by a member of the Athletics Administration that it will work for Volleyball.  I suppose if you can practice there you should be able to play.  I also think there is a least 500 seats available so if we get another hot humid September, perhaps some games will move to the new air-conditioned venue.

[ValpoFan]

RIP Dale Kempf and lots of thanks to Dr. Olejniczak for the robotic football shoutout 

[bbtds]

As I said on Twitter, God bless Dale Kempf (and Kraig and Beth O too).

He taught electronics when I took it in 1997 or so. And I taught with him in physics labs for several years ~20 years after that. I expect the gift would have/will please him. A bit of an odd duck (aren't we all in our ways?), but he was a faithful teacher, and certainly a faithful supporter of VU athletics.

I guess this was a higher priority than ARC renovations? I can certainly see how it'll be a boost to the basketball and volleyball programs.

Did we ever get confirmation on why volleyball can't compete in Hilltop? Is it really the height of the ceiling?

I would suppose that these are the kinds of things that Valpo alumni can support monetarily and with enthusiasm that will attract highly rated Division I student/athletes to Valpo. It sets up the renovation of the ARC when that big donor is finally secured. Has anyone asked Tom Skilling for athletics money yet? He is a great backer of the meteorology program and might be willing to extend his contributions to athletics.

[VU2014]

Matt Lottich says upgrades to Hilltop Gym give Valparaiso a 'Division I quality' practice facility
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
July 3, 2018

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-spt-mens-basketball-valparaiso-hilltop-gym-st-0705-story.html

https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/1014998389396828160

[VUGrad1314]

Excellent news. Things are moving in the right direction for the program. Very grateful to Dale. Kempf (RIP) and the Olejniczak family. They are a tremendous family that I have had the pleasure of knowing for years. I went to High School with their son Ben and he remains a good friend of mine. The Olejniczaks were very influential in my decision to come to Valpo. I was strongly considering going to VU but Kraig really sold me on Valpo once and for all. After talking to him I was certain that Valpo was where I wanted and  needed to be. I'm so glad he reached out to me. I love this school and I'm a proud Crusader. Go Valpo! Thank you Kraig and Beth!

[78crusader]

If the "Forever Valpo" campaign is an endowment campaign, then why are gifts that are being used for Hilltop renovations being counted toward the "Forever Valpo" goal of $250 million?

Paul

[vu72]

If the "Forever Valpo" campaign is an endowment campaign, then why are gifts that are being used for Hilltop renovations being counted toward the "Forever Valpo" goal of $250 million?

Paul

The campaign is "Endowment Focused" not exclusively endowment.

To ensure it continues, we are launching Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, a $250 million endowment-focused initiative. With your support, Forever Valpo will provide the resources for student scholarships, faculty development, and programs that prepare all students for lives of leadership and service.