In a Thursday press release, Auburn announced names for the upcoming football performance center and development lab. Tigers’ head coach Bryan Harsin will lead practice at the new football facility, the Woltosz Football Performance Center, and the weight room will be named the Creel Family Player Development Lab.
The named spaces honor Walt and Ginger Woltosz and Keith and Ginger Creel.
“Once again, the Woltosz and Creel families have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to Auburn by their transformational giving,” Interim Director of Athletics Rich McGlynn said. “These named spaces will serve as permanent reminders to football student-athletes, coaches, and the Auburn family of their steadfast dedication and inspiring generosity.”
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In 2019, the Woltoszes gave what was then the largest gift in Auburn Athletics history for the football performance center that now bears their name. Bill and Connie Neville surpassed the record toward the recently named Neville Arena.
“The Woltoszes and the Creels have a passion for supporting Auburn – and specifically Auburn student-athletes – that is second to none,” said Tim Jackson, executive associate athletics director, Tigers Unlimited. “Their generosity toward this project is a game changer for our football program, continuing their broad support for many Auburn Athletics programs.”
Walt Woltosz earned bachelor’s (1969) and master’s (1977) degrees in aerospace engineering from Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and was later awarded an honorary doctor of science by the University (2021). Ginger Woltosz graduated with a degree in business administration from San Jose State and earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Their daughter, Caitlin, graduated from Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business and contributed to two equestrian national championships in 2016 and 2018 while earning SEC and national academic honors. Their son, Tanner, was a goaltender for the University of Connecticut hockey team, earning academic and athletic accolades.
Dedicated in August 2021 and scheduled to be the home of Auburn’s football operations at the conclusion of the 2022 season, the Woltosz Football Performance Center features 233,428 square feet and includes indoor and outdoor practice fields. The $92 million facility is the largest athletics project in Auburn history.
The Creel Family Player Development Lab boosts 25,000 square feet of strength and conditioning equipment and training space.
Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.
