(From left to right: Luke Harl, FCC Foundation President; Dr. Sharmila Kakac, FCC President; donor Jerry Cox; Camdyn Tappendorf, FCC sophomore volleyball player; Tinlea Webb, FCC freshman volleyball player; and Jeremy Ellis, FCC Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach.)
Frontier Community College has received a generous $200,000 donation from community member Jerry Cox to support the construction of a new athletic facility on campus. The facility will be located on the southeast side of campus between Mason Hall and Bob Boyles Hall.
At the recent IECC Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 19th, the Board approved a $5,651,000 contract with Bevis Construction of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, to begin the project.
FCC President Dr. Sharmila Kakac expressed her gratitude for the donation, stating, “We are deeply grateful for this incredible gift, which will help build our new athletic facilities and open new opportunities for students and our community. Without this kind of generosity, projects like this would not be possible. This support goes far beyond athletics—it’s an investment that will leave a lasting impact on our students and the community for years to come.”
The new athletic facility will feature a full-size gymnasium that will serve as the home court for Bobcats Volleyball and a future basketball program. Additional features will include coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and a concession stand. Beyond athletics, the facility will provide space for intramural sports and community events, further strengthening FCC’s role as a hub for student and community engagement.
Cox shared that his donation reflects both gratitude and vision for the future: “This college has been such a big part of our community, and supporting this project is my way of giving back. For me, it’s not just about sports. It’s about education and making sure future generations have opportunities. I see it as an investment in the students, our community, and the future of this area. GO BOBCATS!”
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Comments