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DePaul Benefactor John Herklotz Helps Create Lasting Monument to Letterwinners
Sept. 28, 2010
CHICAGO - DePaul Athletics is proud to announce the creation of the John and Dale Melbourne Herklotz Letterwinners Plaza and Champions Courtyard at a reception on October 16, in a tent adjacent to Cacciatore Stadium as a part of DePaul's Reunion Weekend. The Letterwinners Plaza and Champions Courtyard, located immediately to the west of Cacciatore Stadium, contains a brick for every documented student-athlete and manager at DePaul since 1926 through the generosity of John Herklotz and the more than 300 D-Club members and donors that purchased bricks. "The Plaza is sure to become a favorite spot for alumni when they return to the Lincoln Park Campus for years to come," Director of Athletics Jean Lenti Ponsetto said. "Thanks to the generosity of John Herklotz, we have a meaningful way to recognize each of our athletic alumni." In the spring of 2010, DePaul athletics initiated a six-week campaign to offer bricks to its athletic alumni and donors in benefit of Phase II of the Cacciatore Stadium renovation. In the midst of the campaign, Herklotz responded with a commitment to name the Letterwinners Plaza and Champions Courtyard. The naming gift from Herklotz provided the resources to have a brick engraved for every letterwinner, as well as making a substantial gift toward the Cacciatore Stadium construction. The Plaza will be named in recognition of John Herklotz and his late wife Dale Melbourne Herklotz. John, a 1949 Commerce graduate, was a long-time friend of legendary men's basketball coach Ray Meyer and a benefactor of DePaul, who previously issued a challenge that secured more than $250,000 for the Ray Meyer Scholarship. Additionally Herklotz made a gift to establish a piano scholarship at DePaul in honor of his late wife Dale Melbourne Herklotz, an accomplished touring classical pianist and an actress. John Herklotz is a philanthropist for a large number of charitable causes across the country. In addition to his gifts to DePaul, he has supported causes in a wide range of the areas including civic awareness and mock voting, health and science research, music education and conservation causes. In 1998, the Vatican conferred the Papal Knight of St. Gregory on Herklotz for his significant service and assistance to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
"We are filled with an immense level of gratitude toward John for making this gift," Ponsetto said. "The Plaza celebrates the passion, commitment and sacrifice that DePaul student-athletes have exhibited and will continue to exhibit as they represent DePaul on their respective fields or courts of play." The dedication of the John and Dale Melbourne Herklotz Letterwinners Plaza and Champions Courtyard is part of a number of athletic events held on October 16 as part of DePaul's Alumni and Family Weekend. The action begins at 9 a.m. with the annual men's soccer alumni game in Cacciatore Stadium. The Plaza dedication will begin with a lunch at 11:30 a.m, with the dedication program beginning at noon. At 1 p.m. dedication guests have the choice of attending the men's soccer game against Providence or the Blue Demon Men's and Women's Basketball Open practice in McGrath Arena.
October 16 Schedule of Events 9 a.m. Men's Soccer Alumni Game at Cacciatore Stadium 11:30 a.m. Dedication lunch Noon Letterwinners Plaza Dedication Program 1 p.m. Men's Soccer vs. Providence or Blue Demon Men's and Women's Open Practice |
