Michigan State University has announced a $1 million gift from alumnus Craig Bush to support construction of lights at DeMartin Stadium, home of MSU men’s and women’s soccer.
A portion of the gift also helped complete fundraising for the Lasch Family Golf Center, with the proposed naming of the Craig Bush Indoor Practice Area within the facility.
The donation is in support of Empower Extraordinary, the campaign for Michigan State University. The gift, made through the Spartan Fund, is the 25th gift of at least $1 million to MSU Athletics since the start of the campaign in July 2011.
“Our campus provides a vibrant and inspiring place to teach and coach and Craig’s gift shows a deep commitment to our campus community and our students,” MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said. “His generosity will not only impact four of our athletics programs, but will also inspire other Spartans to make an impact.”
Bush, a 1983 graduate of MSU’s James Madison College, is an experienced private equity investor. He currently has investments in the health care, technology, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, among others. Under Bush’s ownership, ViewPoint Mobility, a manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans, was selected as a “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” by the Edward Lowe Foundation.
“The timing is great as I have reached a point in my life where I am able to contribute to causes that are important to me,” said Bush. “Michigan State has been very meaningful and influential in my life. I have made strong, life-long friendships here. The decision to be involved was also made as a family. We are passionate about MSU and the athletics program.”
Bush is part of the Athletic Director’s Campaign Leadership Council, a group of leadership donors and campaign volunteers from around the country. He also has an endowed fund that benefits the Spartan baseball program.
“We are so grateful to Craig and his family for this investment in Spartan Athletics,” said MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. “The indoor practice area of the Lasch Family Golf Center has already proved its importance since opening last spring. The lights at DeMartin Stadium are really the next step in providing a better fan experience at Old College Field and will help our current and future student-athletes practice and compete in one of the best venues in the Big Ten.”
Through Empower Extraordinary, MSU Athletics seeks to raise $262 million in support of building championship-level facilities, increasing its endowment and elevating annual gifts. All gifts made through the Spartan Fund during the campaign count toward the goal to support MSU Athletics and its mission to teach, celebrate and support MSU student-athletes in their quest for excellence.
“Empower Extraordinary is about transforming our entire department and we’re excited that Craig recognizes the importance of a championship experience for all 25 sports,” said Chuck Sleeper, executive associate athletic director. “This gift is another example of the great momentum we have going toward the home stretch of the campaign.”
For more information on Empower Extraordinary and to philanthropically support MSU Athletics, please visit: www.msuspartans.com/spartanfund.