Rochester College has reached the $1 million milestone in its fundraising for the Garth Pleasant Gymnasium, which will provide much-needed facilities for its athletic teams.
Former Rochester College basketball coach Garth Pleasant (left) with good friend Bill Fox of Bill Fox Chevrolet.
The college began raising funds for the project in late July 2013 and hit the $500,000 mark in less than six months. Bill and Shirlee Fox, owners of Bill Fox Chevrolet in Rochester Hills, matched the amount of $500,000, bringing the total raised to date to $1 million. The couple also has pledged another $500,000 as a matching gift for the project.
“We are grateful to the local community and to our long-time friends for their support of the college,” said President John Tyson. “We are thrilled to reach the $1 million mark so quickly, and hope to continue raising money so that we can break ground on the new gymnasium.”
Klint Pleasant, right, grew up at Rochester College, where his father, Garth, coached for 38 seasons. (Photo by Jeffrey Lewis Bennett)
Pleasant coached basketball for 38 years, and is a member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame. In addition to the men on his basketball teams, Pleasant has reached more than 15,000 area youth through his summer basketball camps. The RC men’s basketball team has won five national championships under the direction of Garth and his son, Klint, who succeeded his father as head coach.
Bill and Shirlee Fox are long-time friends of Pleasant, and they want Pleasant’s legacy and the mission of Rochester College to thrive in future generations. Bill Fox said, “Garth takes boys and turns them into men.”
The total needed for turnkey construction of the new gym is $3.8 million, and the college is continuing its fundraising efforts with a 1+1=3 campaign. To learn more, visit www.rc.edu/1plus1.
Read more about Garth & Klint’s story in The Christian Chronicle’s 2012 profile titled, “All the More Pleasant.”
ABOUT ROCHESTER COLLEGE
Founded in 1959, Rochester College is an accredited, independent liberal arts college that pursues academic excellence in a Christian setting. With more than 1,100 students, both in traditional, adult learning and early college programs, RC offers bachelor degree programs at four locations and a master’s degree in religious education. For more information about Rochester College, visit www.rc.edu.
About Sarah Hovis