Football Performance Center | JoinTheIFUND.com

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced another million-dollar gift towards the completion of the Football Performance Center. Mark and Bonnie Goldenberg, three-time graduates of the U of I, have pledged $1.2 million to assist the Fighting Illini football program.

The Goldenberg gift now lifts the fundraising effort over the $10 million mark, with a total of $10.625 in announced pledges for the project. The philanthropic goal for the Illinois Football Performance Center is $30 million.

"My wife, Bonnie, and I are very loyal to Illinois," Goldenberg said. "We believe strongly in our Director of Athletics Josh Whitman, who epitomizes 'Illini Forever', and our Head Football Coach Lovie Smith and his program.  We look forward to great success in the future and it is our pleasure and honor to support the program with this contribution to the Football Performance Center."

Mark is the founder and managing partner of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., an Edwardsville law firm, and a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Business and College of Law. Bonnie is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Music. The two met at Illinois and have been proud supporters of Illinois Athletics for more than four decades. Their children, Mitchell and Samara, are also U of I graduates.

"We can't thank Mark and Bonnie enough for their continued support," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "This is yet another generous gift in many they have made to their beloved University. Their commitment to, and passion for, their alma mater is inspiring. Mark and Bonnie have grown to be trusted friends, and we are grateful for their belief in Coach Smith and the program he is building. They know their support will help the program achieve our lofty goals."

The Illinois Football Performance Center will be a 107,650 square foot facility adjoining the south end of the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility. The facility will feature new and expanded strength and conditioning and sports medicine space, coaches' offices, position meeting rooms, player development areas, locker rooms, and other areas for recruiting and prospect hosting. Construction of the new football performance center will be completed prior to the 2019 season.

The gift counts towards in the $300 million fundraising goal for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, which is part of "With Illinois," the recently announced $2.25 billion University-wide fundraising campaign