Larry Connor and his son, Colin, are featured in the University of Dayton 2017 “Impact Report.” We thought you might like to see what these two have been up to, so we excerpted the following from the report. You can read the full story here.
Larry and Colin are fixtures in the world of University of Dayton basketball. They can frequently be found behind the home bench taking in a game. Colin has been a passionate UD fan since he attended his first game 15 years ago, leading him to eventually take a job in the athletic department’s equipment room. Players and coaches alike embrace Colin and draw inspiration from his commitment and enthusiasm. His contagious spirit can be seen in the video below, where he wins a shooting contest during a team timeout on March 8, 2014 in a game against Richmond, where UD won 60-48:
So when there was an opportunity for father and son to have a long-term impact on the program, Larry and Colin jumped at the chance to help.
“I think it’s both community pride as well as great entertainment,” Larry said. “Everybody wants to be a part of something good, valuable and important. For a lot of Daytonians, that’s University of Dayton basketball.”
Nearly 10 million fans have attended UD men’s basketball games since the arena opened in 1969. The arena has an impact of $10 million on the local economy every year.
The Connors invested heavily in the $72-million transformation from both a design and funding standpoint. Larry worked meticulously to secure other local investors and located the right architect to ensure the campaign’s success.
“If you want to be an elite program, long-term, you have to do everything right. Whether it’s coaches, recruits or facilities,” Larry said. “I personally think the University has done a fabulous job assembling all of those pieces. This is the last big piece, in terms of facilities, to position the program.”
The upcoming transformation will provide fans an upgraded experience, and secure future hosting of the NCAA tournament games, which provide continued economic stimulation for the local community. Most importantly, the renovation continues to build the basketball program, which creates unforgettable memories for generations to come.
Excerpts from the University of Dayton 2017 “Impact Report” included in this story.
