Weber State University Athletics
Marquardts Donate $1 Million for Wildcat Football
10/29/2010 5:00:00 PM | Football, Athletics
The gift will support a number of areas, including budget enhancements for recruiting and coaches' salaries, locker room renovations, and a football student-athlete scholarship endowment. More than half of the gift is dedicated to improvements at Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart Stadium.
The Marquardt donation is the first major gift for Stewart Stadium improvements, which are planned to be conducted in phases over the next few years. The first phase, scheduled for 2011, will include installing artificial turf and resurfacing Chick Hislop track. In honor of the Marquardts' gift, the university will name a future entrance plaza on the north end of the stadium the Robert L. and Annette Marquardt Plaza.
"The Marquardts have been long-time supporters of Weber State University and Wildcat Athletics," said WSU athletics director Jerry Bovee. "This generous gift demonstrates their leadership and vision for our program."
"Since I arrived for the 2005 season, we have worked hard to take the Weber State football program to the next level," said head football coach Ron McBride. "By stepping forward and making this gift, Bob and Annette have established some key elements that elevate our ability to compete in the Big Sky Conference and the FCS playoffs."
Bob and Annette Marquardt have been stalwart supporters of Weber State University and the greater Ogden community. At WSU, their financial generosity has had an impact on the Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts, Stewart Library, the WSU Athletics Department, and scholarship support for Wildcat student-athletes, as well as business students in the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics.
"The Weber State University football program has built a solid foundation through the hard work of its coaching staff and student-athletes," said Bob Marquardt. "Annette and I are proud to do our part to help Coach Mac lead the program to even greater success. There is a tremendous energy at Weber State, and we feel very fortunate to be in a position to contribute in this capacity."
An Ogden resident since 1959, Marquardt has distinguished himself in the world of business through his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. During a career that spans seven decades, Marquardt led Thiokol's marketing of large solid rockets, was director of Thiokol's medical division and aerospace operations, and was vice president of Thiokol Corporation's Education and Training Division. These experiences led to his role in starting various local companies, including the nationally recognized Management & Training Corporation.
MTC is dedicated to helping people realize their learning potential by providing life-changing opportunities through academic, career and technical training, and social skills training. For more than a quarter of a century, MTC has operated a successful job-training program through the federal government's Job Corps program. Since 1987, MTC has become a leader in offering rehabilitative educational opportunities at privatized correctional facilities. MTC's business was further advanced by the acquisition of General Electric's training division. MTC manages contracts across the United States from its corporate headquarters in Centerville, Utah. Marquardt currently serves as the Chairman Emeritus of MTC's Board of Directors.
As leaders in community conservation projects, the Marquardts have been recognized for their contributions in creating numerous community treasures, including the Ogden River Parkway, the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart Museum at Dinosaur Park, the Swanson Wedding Complex, the Utah State University Botanical Gardens and MTC Learning Park, Beus Park, and waterfowl wetlands.
Highlights among Marquardt's many awards and recognitions include an honorary doctor of humanities degree from Weber State University in 1995, the Wall of Fame award from the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce in 2002, and national honors from the U.S. Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Commerce.
