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Ground broken for Troutt-Wittmann center

Rays of the little-seen sun broke though ominous looking clouds Friday afternoon over Lingle Hall to reflect upon a row of shovels.

The soil they rested in marked the future site of the Troutt-Wittmann Center, a building that will provide student-athletes a place to train for both athletics and academics.

Thomas P. "Pete" Wittmann donated $4.5 million, the largest private donation in school history, to help create the building named in honor of his best friend, Kenny Troutt. The two attended SIU and played on the football team together in the late '60s.

At 1:30 p.m., people began filing out of Lingle Hall to fill the 90 chairs set up in front of the shovels and the small stage erected nearby for the groundbreaking ceremony.

SIUC Chancellor Walter Wendler began the occasion with a few comments and the first of many thanks extended to Wittmann.

"This will be the first building in the University's history to be built because of one man," Wendler said. "His generosity has made this possible."

Paul Kowalczyk, SIU's athletic director, spoke at the ceremony as well and also expressed a huge amount of gratitude for the donation, saying it would be a huge development for Saluki athletics.

"Today's a proud day in Saluki athletics," Kowalczyk said. "We're only digging a little dirt today, but it's important dirt. It's dirt that Pete kicked up during his days here at SIU."

Wendler then asked Wittmann to come up on stage and say a few words to the crowd gathered in and around the chairs.

Wittmann stood in front of the microphone, with a beaming smile that never left his face.

He said he was nervous and could do a better speaking job over a couple of beers if anyone cared to join him.

Wittmann waited for the chuckling to subside before speaking of the real reason for being on stage.

"I feel very honored and privileged, but this isn't about me," Wittmann said. "You have to give back to the people who helped you get to where you are and the University was a huge part of my life."

After Wittmann made a hasty exit from the stage, SIU head football coach Jerry Kill took the microphone.

He looked directly at Wittmann and expressed his thanks.

"I don't think you have any idea what this means to our athletic program," Kill said.

Kill also joked the donation would allow him to hold onto SIU's strength coach, Eric Klein, for a few more years.

The ceremony ended with Wittmann, Kill, Wendler and various others breaking the first chunks of soil for the facility while cameras flashed incessantly.

Everyone then made their way to the reception in Lingle Hall, escaping the unexpected appearance of the warm sun for a few cold drinks.

Klein said the center would represent the Salukis' success in the Missouri Valley and Gateway Conferences. He said it would serve another purpose as well.

"It will be a tremendous recruiting tool," Klein said. "Whether anybody wants to say it straight out, it will help all the coaches for recruiting."