Thanks to the generosity of Valpo Basketball program alum, Donald V. Fites '56, the forward momentum of the Valparaiso University men's basketball program has received another significant boost. Fites has committed $1 million to match the recent gift of the late Paul Schrage '57 and his widow Jan Schrage '59 to provide championship-level resources to the men's basketball program and its student-athletes.
 
"The storied history of the men's basketball program plays an important role in the success of our institution," Fites said. "Coach Roger Powell Jr., his student-athletes and his staff have done an excellent job of continuing the program's legacy established by the Drew Family through their successes this season. I am pleased to match the recent gift from my friend, Paul Schrage, and would like to challenge others to help us support Coach Powell in continuing the program's upward trajectory."


 
Fites' latest gift continues a lifetime of generosity, as his love and support for Valpo has helped support all aspects of the institution. He has played a major role in University fundraising campaigns and has long been a major financial supporter of the College of Engineering and the University as a whole.
 
"Don Fites is a blessing to Valparaiso University, and once again we are honored and overjoyed to be on the receiving end of his generosity, as his gift will help our student-athletes to flourish both on and off the court," shared Rev. Brian Konkol, Ph.D., President of Valparaiso University. "I wholeheartedly thank Don for his steadfast belief in our campus community, as his latest contribution will enhance not only our men's basketball program and Department of Athletics, as it will surely bolster the fullness of all we have to offer at Valparaiso University. We are truly fortunate for all the ways Don is helping us at Valpo to build lives for good."


 
In 2011, University leaders joined with community members to dedicate the Donald V. Fites Engineering Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art addition to the Gellersen Engineering and Mathematics Center. The facility that bears his name covers 13,470 square feet and is made up primarily of laboratory and learning space for undergraduate engineering students.
 
Fites, a former member of the Valparaiso University Board of Directors, is the retired Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Caterpillar Inc. He attained the position of Vice President at Caterpillar in 1981, and then Executive Vice President in 1985. Fites was elevated to Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board in 1990, and held those positions until his 1999 retirement.


 
"I want to express my sincere gratitude to Don Fites for this monumental investment in our basketball program, athletic department and University," Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation Laurel Hosmer said. "I am incredibly grateful for his generosity during this vital time for our department and his commitment to meeting the needs of a rapidly changing competitive landscape in men's basketball and across college athletics. Don's inspiration to match Paul and Jan's generosity speaks to the deep-rooted, far-reaching connectivity amongst our Valpo Family. I hope that the belief in our leadership, vision and student-athletes demonstrated through this program-changing gift will call others to accept Don's challenge to make contributions of their own that will help us shape the future of Valpo Athletics." 
 
The gift comes after head coach Roger Powell Jr. led the team to its highest regular-season win total in league play since joining the Missouri Valley Conference. The program has moved forward in each of his first three seasons at the helm, reaching new Valley heights this season.
 
"Don Fites' gift to Valpo Basketball will help us further our goal of making a transformational impact on the lives of young men while pursuing excellence in competition," Powell said. "His support will play an important role in our recruiting and retention efforts as we continue to restore Valpo's winning tradition. We are grateful for his willingness to contribute to our greatest areas of need at this important time for the program."