CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Gies College of Business alumni Don and Anne Edwards have announced a $10 million gift to the University of Illinois, $3 million of which will support the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Don Edwards is a former member of the Illinois men's golf program and currently serves as chairperson of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

The Edwards family will invest $2 million toward the renovation and expansion of the Ubben Basketball Complex, and $1 million toward the Fighting Illini golf programs. With this gift, the Edwards family has provided more than $2 million in total support for Fighting Illini golf.

"We are incredibly grateful to Don and Anne for this wonderful gift," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "As evidenced by the multifaceted nature of their gift, the Edwards have embraced the broad, diverse role that the University of Illinois plays in advancing the interests of higher education and the state of Illinois. It is a source of pride for Fighting Illini Athletics to have Don, a former student-athlete, serving as the chair of our University's Board of Trustees. He is a tremendous example of the springboard to a fulfilling and impactful post-sports life that we hope our athletic program can provide to our student-athletes. We are grateful to Don and Anne for including us in their generosity and recognizing the role a successful athletic program can play in propelling our great University forward."

The Ubben renovation and expansion will nearly double the square footage of the current structure, while also significantly renovating the existing space used by the men's and women's basketball programs. New office space and recruiting areas will be a part of the project, as well as enhanced weight rooms and practice courts. The renovation will increase the size of the locker rooms and player lounges, and include a state-of-the-art sports medicine facility.

Illinois Men's Golf 1988 Big Ten Champions

Don was a member of the Fighting Illini golf team from 1984-1988, alongside current head coach Mike Small and PGA standout Steve Stricker. The trio helped build the Illinois golf program under head coach Ed Beard, and ultimately won the 1988 Big Ten title.

"Since his time on the golf team with Steve Stricker and myself, Don has been an extremely loyal and proud Illinois alum. He wants the University of Illinois to be the best in the world," Small said. "I have valued my friendship with Don for a long time, and the example of leadership that he shows this department is infectious. His unconditional support of this university is an inspiration to everyone that knows him."

The Edwards family is also providing significant support for the Gies College of Business with a $7 million donation for scholarships ($2 million) and the Discovery Partners Institute ($5 million). The DPI is a world-class research and education center led by the University of Illinois System.

"Anne and I are excited to make this gift to the University and honor two areas that had a great impact on our lives," Don Edwards said. "We feel very fortunate to be able to give back in a significant way to Athletics. I am proud to be a part of a rich Illini golf history and I understand the power of a strong athletics brand. Anne and I believe in the direction of the Athletics Department under our current athletic administration. I want our gift to send a message of campus unity with a collective commitment to excellence in academics and athletics."

Don (FIN '88) and Anne (ACCY '88) both graduated from Gies College of Business and have lived in Chicago for the last two decades. Don graduated from Gies with highest honors and was a Bronze Tablet recipient in addition to being a four-year letter-winner on the men's golf team. He went on to earn his MBA from Harvard Business School with Baker Scholar distinction in 1994.

Don is the CEO of Flexpoint Ford, LLC, a private equity investment firm focused on healthcare and financial services that has raised more than $5 billion in capital. Prior to founding Flexpoint Ford in 2005, he worked in private equity as a principal for GTCR, a leading Chicago-based firm, and served as an investment banker at Lazard, Ltd, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions. He also serves as a commissioner of the Chicago Park District, a trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art, a director of Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, a director of World Business Chicago, and chairman of the finance and audit committees of the board of the PGA of America.

After graduating from Illinois, Anne earned her CPA and was controller of the Lyric Opera of Chicago until her retirement. She still serves on the women's board executive committee of the Lyric Opera, and she also serves on the Gies Business "With Illinois" campaign steering committee. "With Illinois" is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's largest campaign ever, with the goal of raising $2.25 billion in gifts to support Illinois students, faculty, research, and infrastructure. Already over 80% toward this goal, the University has received more than $1.86 billion.

The $3 million Edwards gift is included in the DIA's $300 million fundraising goal, which is part of "With Illinois," the $2.25 billion University-wide fundraising campaign.