Stever Kerr and his wife, Margot, donated a $1 million dollars to their alma mater, the University of Arizona to assist in the McKale Center renovations, the university announced on Tuesday.
Kerr played for the Wildcats from 1983-1988, talling 1,445 career points. He helped Arizona win two Pac-10 regular season championships and was a first-team all-conference selection twice.
“My experience as a student-athlete at the U of A shaped my life and my entire career,” Steve Kerr in a statement released by the university. “I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I was given to be a part of such a special University. This gift reflects my thanks and also my support for all the future student-athletes who will come to Arizona to compete, study and shape their own lives moving forward.”
The donation from the Kerrs will go to Phase I of the renovations, which began in May 2014. This stage includes upgrades to the seating and lighting of the area and also includes a new floor.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Steve and Margot for their incredible generosity and continued support of our program,” Arizona head coach Sean Miller added. “Steve’s basketball career is extraordinary on so many levels. However, his qualities as a person and the qualities of his family are equally exemplary. Today’s gift epitomizes the reasons that we take so much pride in referring to Arizona basketball as ‘A Player’s Program.’”
Since graduating from Arizona, Kerr enjoyed a 15-year NBA career winning five titles; three as a member of the Chicago Bulls and two with the San Antonio Spurs. Kerr has also had stints as a television analyst for TNT and worked in the Phoenix Suns front office. In 2014, Kerr begins the newest chapter of his basketball career as a first-year head coach for the Golden State Warriors.
Kerr’s alma mater will open the preseason as a top-3 team, likely as the No. 2 behind Kentucky.