Case Western Reserve University’s Adelbert Gym completes philanthropic funding with latest gift

Donald Richards (CIT ’79, MGT ‘81) and his wife, Marianne, have made a gift to support the Adelbert Gym renovation project at Case Western Reserve University—helping to complete the philanthropic funding for the project before it breaks ground later this month.

Their gift will support the Spartan Gallery, a new hall space connecting One to One Fitness and Adelbert Gym, which will soon be known as DiSanto Arena. The renovated facility will serve as a hub for men’s and women’s basketball, campus recreation and community engagement, including indoor activities for summer youth programming.

Richards, a retired managing director at Accenture, earned both his undergraduate and Master of Business Administration degrees from Case Western Reserve and has remained deeply engaged with the university since graduation. He joined the Case Western Reserve University Board of Trustees in 2013 and has since held multiple leadership roles.

“Don embodies what it is to be a hands-on, dedicated alumnus—he gives generously of his time, talent and treasure in ways that are strategic, that benefit our university community and that advance our priorities,” said President Eric W. Kaler. “He and Marianne have been wonderful ambassadors and advocates for Case Western Reserve and we truly appreciate their continued support for the Adelbert Gym project.”

For Richards, the gift reflects both his own student experience and his belief in the role athletics and community programs play in shaping lives.

“Athletics were a huge part of my experience at Case Western Reserve,” Richards said. “I was on the wrestling team all four years, and those experiences taught me discipline, time management and perseverance—lessons that stayed with me throughout my career.”

As a student, Richards competed in Adelbert Gym, a facility he remembers fondly, despite its clear signs of aging even nearly 40 years ago. He has since watched with pride as Case Western Reserve’s athletics programs have moved into newer facilities—and, in turn, grown more visible on the national stage.

“It’s exciting to see how much has changed,” he said. “Our teams are competitive, students show up and there’s real energy around athletics. This project creates a space that matches that level of excellence.”

In addition to supporting student-athletes, the renovated facility will expand opportunities for the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), which provides academic enrichment, recreation and mentorship for local youth during the summer months.

“That community impact really mattered to me,” Richards said. “NYSP is a fantastic program, and being able to support both the university and the broader community through this project made it especially meaningful.”

The Adelbert Gym gift builds on a long history of philanthropy from Richards and his family, whose lifetime giving to the university exceeds $3 million. Previous support includes a major gift to the President’s Strategic Initiatives Fund and endowed scholarships in engineering and undergraduate education.

Richards emphasized that his motivation for giving has always been rooted in gratitude rather than recognition.

“I was able to attend Case Western Reserve, in part, through scholarship support,” he said. “Philanthropy made a difference for me, and I see this gift as a way to help today’s students—and future generations—have access to the same kinds of opportunities.”