Cooks donate $1 million toward Saluki Way

Greg Cook, president and co-founder of Cook Portable Warehouses, and his wife, Nancy, have pledged $1 million toward the Saluki Way athletic facilities project that will feature a new 15,000-seat football stadium, renovation of SIU Arena and construction of a 56,000-square foot arena addition.

Top Dawgs — Greg and Nancy Cook pledged $1 million toward the Saluki Way athletic facilities project at an announcement at the SIU Arena on Thursday, Jan. 24. Construction on the $83 million project, which will feature a new 15,000-seat football stadium, renovation of SIU Arena and construction of a 56,000-square foot arena addition, is scheduled to begin this fall.

"It is a very exciting day for Saluki Athletics that Greg and Nancy Cook have made such a generous contribution toward Saluki Way," said Saluki Director of Athletics Mario Moccia. "As lifelong Saluki fans, I know they are pleased at the success we have achieved athletically as well as academically. The Cooks have set a wonderful example of this support with their phenomenal gift today."

Cook was born and raised in Carbondale and majored in business administration at SIU in the late 1970s. Both he and his wife are Life Members of the SIU Alumni Association.

"My family and I have had a lifelong love affair with Southern Illinois University and Saluki Athletics," Cook said. "Athletics gives our University an identity and exposure that would be difficult, if not impossible to achieve through any other means. Nancy and I are honored to be able to contribute to Saluki Way, and hope that our commitment may inspire others to follow."

Cook, who serves on the SIU Foundation Board of Directors, has been an active supporter of Saluki Athletics, including service on the Saluki Futures Campaign committee and several athletic department search committees. Other philanthropic interests include the Corporate Angel Network, a non-profit organization that provides free transportation for cancer patients on corporately owned aircraft.

"Greg has selflessly provided many valuable services to the University for many years, some apparent, some behind the scenes," said Roger Tedrick, chairman of the SIU Board of Trustees. "He is a community-minded individual who believes in giving back. We are extremely grateful for his generous donation to Saluki Way, something Greg knows will benefit the University and the region for years to come."

The Saluki Way project, which received Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees approval on Nov. 7, 2007, has an estimated $83 million price tag. Moccia said the University has secured more than 75 percent of the needed total through a mixture of sources that include private contributions, projected football suite revenue, funding from the city of Carbondale and student fees. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008.

"I see Saluki Way as a marathon race with the student fees and the City of Carbondale's commitment enabling us to see the finish line," Moccia said. "With today's gift, we are that much closer to completing our race. The students of Southern Illinois University and the citizens of Carbondale and southern Illinois have stepped up during this process, and I see the final component to making Saluki Way a success is to have our more than 200,000 alumni participate in some way, shape or form."

The architectural firm 360 architecture is working on finalizing design plans for the facilities. The next step is to select a construction manager and put out to bid the selection of a general contractor. Moccia said both the stadium and arena renovation should be completed in time for the 2010-11 school year.