While announcing plans for a $72 million transformation of the University of Dayton Arena, UD athletic director Neil Sullivan on Thursday sang the praises of Connor Group managing partner Larry Connor.
If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was reading straight from the company’s culture book.
“Larry not only made a major contribution to this transformation. He’s been a true partner every step of the way,” Sullivan said in front of a crowd of media and UD fans. “Larry’s vision, his long-term thinking and his unwavering commitment to excellence challenged us and pushed us. Ultimately, he became the perfect partner.”
Thursday’s announcement was the latest step in a multi-year process to remake one of college basketball’s most historic venues. Along the way, Larry has taken a leadership role in funding, planning and soliciting additional funders.
Larry and his son Colin, long-time UD boosters, also addressed the crowd. (Colin also works part-time in UD’s athletic department.)
“There’s been so many great things and improvements to the university and the basketball program,” Larry said. “… The last remaining piece was to take an iconic facility and take it from good to great. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The transformation will occur in three phases from 2017 to 2019. It includes seating upgrades, added video boards, new concourses, suites and more.
UD Arena, which opened in 1969, has hosted more NCAA Tournament games than any venue.
See the announcement, complete with architectural renderings, in the video below.