Clarke’s Athletic Practice Facility Named for Jack and Rosemary Gantz

Clarke University’s new athletic practice facility will be named for long-time supporters of the school.The Jack & Rosemary Gantz Athletic Practice Facility, 1095 Cedar Cross Road, will open in the fall.Jim Gantz said his parents were always generous in their giving to the community and wanted their children to do the same.“Our parents led by example,” Jim Gantz said. “They stressed being philanthropic and supporting the community.”The Gantz Foundation/Pepsi was approached regarding a gift, but Jim said the foundation would not be able to do it alone. Therefore, he approached family members with the idea of making a donation to Clarke and having the facility named in honor of their parents.  Jim stated that in addition to the Gantz Foundation/Pepsi, he is joined by his wife, Jean; his sister Mary; his brothers and their wives, C.J. and Mary Ann, Dan and Linda, and Tim and Sue; in making the gift possible. The Gantz family’s donation of $250,000 will assist Clarke University in the opening of its new practice facility named after Jack and Rosemary.Jack and Rosemary Gantz owned and operated the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company as well as Vendors Unlimited Corp., both in Dubuque. Jack died in 1994 and Rosemary passed away in 2012.Jack and Rosemary were generous supporters of Clarke, particularly Crusader athletics, scholarships for the arts and, in 2005, a gift from the Gantz family made possible a beautification process on Clarke Drive in front of the Atrium, named the Gantz Plaza. Clarke University recently announced the purchase of the athletic practice complex on Cedar Cross Road, near the intersection of North Cascade Road. With over 14,400 square feet and 2.4 acres to work with, this space will serve as an indoor practice area for Crusader athletics, offices for coaches, equipment storage and space for athletic camps. The building was previously operated as Tri-State Golf Center. Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students who positively impact their workplace, family and community. Academic offerings include more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs, a robust adult degree program and seven graduate degree programs.  The Clarke Crusaders compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with 16 varsity teams. For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.