Not only does Steve Kerr have a jersey hanging at McKale Center, but he’s now the program’s all time No. 2 leader in publicly disclosed gifts among former players.
Kerr’s $1 million pledge toward the $30 million in renovations at McKale Center is the second-largest donation by former UA basketball players, trailing only the $3.5 million Richard Jefferson pledged toward the practice gym that carries his name (It’s still often just known as "The R.J.”)
While UA officials declined to say today how much toward the $30 million they have raised, a spokesman said there was “positive momentum” building in the effort to raise enough to cover the cost.
So far, UA has confirmed donations of $6 million from Cole and Jeannie Davis, $2.5 million from an anonymous donor, $1 million from Donald Diamond, $1 million from George Kalil and $800,000 from former UA player George Rountree.
That's over $11 million but there is also a matching program in which another donor agreed to chip in up to $8 million in matching funds.
When approached before a UA game at Oregon State last March, Kalil said he was finally able to donate because his finances previously had been needed to back up debt taken on by his Kalil Bottling Company.
"I love basketball, and the University of Arizona has been a big deal," Kalil said. "They need a lot of money. It's a real battle."
Kerr, meanwhile, made his pledge just as he is into his first preseason as an NBA coach with the Golden State Warriors. He signed a five-year contract worth $25 million.
“My experience as a student-athlete at the U of A shaped my life and my entire career,” Kerr said. “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.”
In all, UA says 42 percent of its former basketball letterwinners have made gifts back to Arizona athletics, but that includes any dollar amount. A spokesman said other gifts from former players have been confidential.
