[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/foxcroft_r.jpg” caption=”Ron Foxcroft”]Ron Foxcroft, campaign chair for the Athletics & Recreation Centre and Stadium, made magic last fall when he matched $100,000 in donations to sponsor stadium seats in the new Ronald V. Joyce Stadium. Ron is at it again – this time, he's jump-starting things in the Athletics & Recreation Centre.

Ron will match, dollar for dollar, the first 100 gifts of $1,000 to sponsor a varsity locker in the Athletics & Recreation Centre. Those who take up the challenge will receive permanent recognition on a donor wall in the Athletics & Recreation Centre and a charitable tax receipt for $1,000.

Donors will be invited to celebrate at the opening of the new and renovated Athletics & Recreation Centre with other campaign donors.(Opening tentatively scheduled for Fall 2006.) The challenge has the potential to raise $200,000 towards the campaign.

“People really got involved with Ron's first challenge” says Lorna Somers, campaign director. “We were absolutely amazed when the challenge reached its stadium seat goal in September, three months ahead of schedule. I commend Ron for continuing to show such leadership and commitment to the Campaign for the Athletics & Recreation Centre and Stadium.”

The newly renovated men's and women's varsity change rooms will give our varsity athletes a comfortable home base in the Athletics & Recreation Centre. Moveable fixtures will allow teams to create “locker rooms within locker rooms” giving each varsity sport a separate area to change, store equipment and call their own. With an adjacent varsity study lounge, the varsity change rooms will be part of a destination area for varsity athletes coming to practice and study.

During the off-season, children who attend the University's popular summer camps will have the opportunity to use the change rooms and get a taste of what if feels like to be part of a winning Marauder team.

These facilities will be a tremendous asset for McMaster University and the regions of Hamilton and Halton, building on a fan base for university athletics that is already one of the most supportive in the country.

The 2006 Foxcroft Challenge appears to be enjoying the same success as the Stadium Seat Challenge, helped along by Foxcroft himself. While the official launch of the Foxcroft Challenge 2006 is Monday, March 6, Ron himself has already secured donations to three lockers. “The reaction has been 'this is great, it is like pledging and doubling my money'” he says. “People seem to enjoy the idea of spending Fox's money”.

For further information or to take the challenge, call 905-525-9140, ext. 23040.