Proposed BGSU Student Athlete Center gets major boost

A proposed Student Athlete Center will move closer to reality with a gift from a BGSU alumnus and his wife.

J. Robert “Bob” and Karen Sebo of Salem, Ohio, are giving the University $4.4 million over five years to fund several initiatives, including the Sebo Student Athlete Center. Their gift, the second largest in University history, will also expand the Sebo Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, support a WBGU-PBS documentary about successful regional entrepreneurs and enhance the College of Musical Arts with an expanded jazz studies scholarship and funding for a spring concert.

The gift announcement was made during ceremonies at 1:30 p.m. Saturday during Homecoming 2004. BGSU Foundation Chair Edward J. Reiter and Foundation President J. Douglas Smith, vice president for University Advancement, accepted on behalf of BGSU.

Sebo, who graduated from BGSU in 1958 with a degree in business administration, is a member of the BGSU Board of Trustees. He was involved in many successful business ventures including co-founding Paychex Inc., a top national provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for businesses in the U.S. He spent 20 years with the company, retiring as senior vice president and partner in 1994.

The majority of the Sebos' gift—$3.5 million—will fund the construction of the Sebo Student Athlete Center.

The privately funded center, which will be located at the north end zone of Doyt Perry Stadium, will become the stadium’s new front entrance. At approximately 33,500 square feet, the new two-story building will feature an expanded and state-of-the-art sports medicine and rehabilitation facility and a strength and conditioning area for all University student athletes.

There also will be football coaches’ offices, a video equipment and viewing room, team meeting rooms and conference rooms to enhance facilities that are currently available. A heritage room and an outdoor pavilion overlooking the playing field are also planned. Cost for constructing the center is estimated at $7 million.

The Sebos are providing the lead gift for the Student Athlete Center because they believe a winning athletic program is central to Bowling Green’s continued success. They have been long-time supporters of the Falcon athletic program, including a football scholarship they established in 2000.

“I think athletics are tremendously important for both the University and individual athletes,” Sebo said. “Excellent athletic teams unite the student body so they can enjoy, love and support the University. This creates enthusiastic and engaged students who graduate to become proud alumni who support the University with their time, effort and money. With the new student athlete center, BGSU’s student athletes will have the resources they need to build winning teams and learn about leadership, action and strategy.”

In acknowledging the gift, BGSU Athletic Director Paul Krebs said, “The Sebos’ generous gift to establish this new center will position BGSU intercollegiate athletics for continued success and provide us the resources needed to successfully compete within the Mid-American Conference and nationally.”

Just as Sebo admires student athletes for their attitude, enthusiasm and dedication, he also appreciates those same qualities in budding entrepreneurs and musicians, which is why he and his wife have chosen to expand their support for the Sebo Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, the WBGU entrepreneurial documentary and for two important College of Musical Arts initiatives.

“I have tremendous admiration for entrepreneurs and want to give young people with the entrepreneurial spirit a fighting chance of making their dreams a reality,” Sebo said. “One of the best elements of BGSU’s entrepreneurial studies program is that students in all majors can participate. Chemists, musicians, engineers and artists can all nurture their natural talents while building the business skills necessary for success. Moreover, the stories about entrepreneurs featured in the planned documentary have the potential to reach, inspire and inform people beyond the campus community.”

The gift includes $750,000 for the Sebo Entrepreneurship Lecture Series started last spring and $40,000 for WBGU-PBS to create a documentary on Ohio entrepreneurs.

“We are overjoyed by the reception our entrepreneurship minor is receiving from students and from supporters like Bob Sebo. As a trustee of this University and as a donor, Bob already has done so much to make this program one that benefits any Bowling Green student who has a passion for starting his or her own business. We are truly grateful,” Robert Edmister, dean of the College of Business Administration, said.

The enthusiasm the Sebos have for athletics and entrepreneurship is also evident in their support for the musical arts. They are giving $75,000 to a jazz studies scholarship they previously started and to underwrite a concert by The Four Freshmen on campus.

“Bob and Karen Sebo are true friends of Bowling Green State University and the College of Musical Arts,” noted Richard Kennell, dean of the College of Musical Arts. “Through their jazz scholarship, they help talented music students. For this measure of support, we are truly grateful. They also are funding a superior vocal and instrumental jazz performance by The Four Freshmen this spring that will bring great music to all of us at BGSU."

The Sebo gift to the various BGSU initiatives reflects their overall commitment and support of the University.

“As a University trustee, I have been involved with many departments and initiatives throughout the campus community. I am invariably impressed with the intelligence, enthusiasm and team effort demonstrated by BGSU faculty, staff and students. I think Dr. Ribeau is one of the finest university presidents in the country, and I am proud and happy to help the University in any way I can,” Sebo said.