Case Western Reserve University breaks ground on DiSanto Arena

Case Western Reserve University marked a major milestone Wednesday with the ceremonial groundbreaking of DiSanto Arena, the future home of Spartans basketball and a renewed hub for campus and community engagement.

The event celebrated the start of construction on a comprehensive renovation of historic Adelbert Gym, made possible through transformational philanthropic support led by Fred and Brittan DiSanto and their son, T.J. and daughter-in-law, Lia.

During the ceremony, President Eric W. Kaler emphasized the DiSanto family’s central role in bringing the project to life, noting that the renovation of Adelbert Gym has been a passion project of the DiSantos.

“As you all know, Fred is a double alumnus, a former three‑sport Spartan athlete, trustee and our past board chair,” Kaler said. “We are honored that he has been a lead supporter of this project.”

Kaler highlighted how DiSanto’s leadership helped inspire others to support the renovation. “Thanks to Fred’s initiative, others have followed suit, and now future generations of our students, student‑athletes, and, importantly, members of the broader community, will utilize and enjoy what will be DiSanto Arena,” he said.

When it reopens, DiSanto Arena will be the home to Case Western Reserve’s men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams during the academic year. The reimagined facility will incorporate over 6,000 square feet of expansions and renovations to the concourse, court and mezzanine levels—including new locker rooms for men’s and women’s basketball, a new social space, and an expansion of the building’s footprint for a new lobby and entry tower. In the summer, the arena will continue to serve as a home base for the National Youth Sports Program, a camp that serves more than 350 Cleveland youth every summer.

Kaler also noted the historical significance of the renovation. “There actually hasn’t been a varsity basketball game played at the Adelbert Gym since 1970, so this will be a true homecoming of sorts.”

He also recognized several supporters whose generosity helped bring the project to life, including David and Angela Carr, whose gift will name Brennan Industries Court; Don (CIT ‘79, MGT ‘81) and Marianne Richards, whose support will fund the Spartan Gallery; and the Wyant Foundation, longtime boosters of Spartan athletics whose gift will support the newly renovated facility’s atrium. Kaler also thanked alumnus and former men’s basketball player Arnold Huffman (CWR ‘93), who served as chair of the Adelbert Gym renovation fundraising committee and made a significant contribution to the project.

Fred DiSanto (WRC ‘85, MGT ‘86) reflected on the project’s long trajectory and its significance to the university.

“This is a project that’s been in development going back to at least 2018,” he said. “To stand here now with the work already underway is as rewarding as anything I’ve ever been a part of.”

Looking ahead, DiSanto said, “It’s going to be another very exciting day when we open these doors for the first time to welcome in our teams, fans, and community, to witness that first jump ball and usher in a new era of Case Western Reserve Spartan athletics.”