Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Athletics Unveils Leon Owens Winner’s Circle & Performance Center
12/13/2024 9:58:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Racer Club
Naming rights honor Murray State University Board Chair Leon Owens, in recognition of his announced $1.75 million contributions into the transformational success of Racer Athletics
In recognition of the unwavering commitment and transformational generosity that Leon Owens has shown to Murray State Athletics through his $1.75 million investment to MSU Athletics, the department has unveiled the Leon Owens Winner's Circle & Performance Center outside of the CFSB Center to forever memorialize the impact he has made on the Racers' current and future student-athletes.
Owens, who serves as President of Paducah-based Swift & Staley, Incorporated, and is the current Chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents, has helped pave the way for Racer Athletics to experience its most prosperous and innovative period in history.
Owens and Swift & Staley have allowed the Racers to invest in strategic priorities to positively benefit every student-athlete and significantly enhance their facility profile. The unveiling of the Winner's Circle & Performance Center, and the groundbreaking of the plaza within it, marks the first phase of the CFSB Center renovation project.
"We are thrilled to formally announce the Leon Owens Winner's Circle and Performance Center and to recognize Chairman Owens for investing in Racer Athletics and our more than 400 student-athletes, coaches and staff," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "Leon is the epitome of a servant leader, and this transformational investment will help ignite our progress of the CFSB Center renovations. This dedication will etch Chairman Owens' legacy into University history through the naming of the Winner's Circle and Performance Center."
Murray State has seen unprecedented growth around its facilities in large part due to the vision and philanthropic impact of Owens.
"It is truly an honor to be recognized by Murray State Athletics with the naming of these incredible spaces," Owens said. "I cherish being able to support each and every one of the student-athletes that come to our campus, and am excited to help continue to build our athletic standing and impact our student-athletes for years to come. I cannot thank Director of Athletics Nico Yantko, our coaches and our student-athletes enough for their hard work and for representing Murray State."
The Racers currently have several million dollars' worth of capital projects currently underway and recently announced its plans for a massive, eight-figure renovation to the CFSB Center for the first time since the building opened in 1998.
With the renovation, the performance spaces inside the CFSB Center will receive a significant enhancement, with updates to the athletic training space and weight room and the anticipated additions of a nutrition oasis, rehab/prehab spaces, a hydrotherapy room, and more.
To learn more about the exciting new vision for the home of Racer Basketball, CLICK HERE.
Owens' involvement in the Department of Athletics is not just a personal endeavor, but a reflection of his shared commitment to the University as a whole and his desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young people.
Powered by his drive to help each Racer student-athlete grow outside of sport, Owens helped Murray State Athletics officially launch the Dennis Jackson Leadership Program (DJLP), which provides the needed tools for student-athletes in the areas of personal growth, life skills and professional development.
From recruitment through retirement, the program is a guide for student-athletes to be successful people both with their families and in their careers.
Owens has also been a constant at sporting events, both home and away, having travelled to competitive events with nearly every athletic program. His unwavering support goes above and beyond and is felt by all Racer student-athletes, who embrace the opportunity to interact with him on a regular basis.
Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics.
Owens, who serves as President of Paducah-based Swift & Staley, Incorporated, and is the current Chair of the Murray State University Board of Regents, has helped pave the way for Racer Athletics to experience its most prosperous and innovative period in history.
Owens and Swift & Staley have allowed the Racers to invest in strategic priorities to positively benefit every student-athlete and significantly enhance their facility profile. The unveiling of the Winner's Circle & Performance Center, and the groundbreaking of the plaza within it, marks the first phase of the CFSB Center renovation project.
"We are thrilled to formally announce the Leon Owens Winner's Circle and Performance Center and to recognize Chairman Owens for investing in Racer Athletics and our more than 400 student-athletes, coaches and staff," Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "Leon is the epitome of a servant leader, and this transformational investment will help ignite our progress of the CFSB Center renovations. This dedication will etch Chairman Owens' legacy into University history through the naming of the Winner's Circle and Performance Center."
Murray State has seen unprecedented growth around its facilities in large part due to the vision and philanthropic impact of Owens.
"It is truly an honor to be recognized by Murray State Athletics with the naming of these incredible spaces," Owens said. "I cherish being able to support each and every one of the student-athletes that come to our campus, and am excited to help continue to build our athletic standing and impact our student-athletes for years to come. I cannot thank Director of Athletics Nico Yantko, our coaches and our student-athletes enough for their hard work and for representing Murray State."
The Racers currently have several million dollars' worth of capital projects currently underway and recently announced its plans for a massive, eight-figure renovation to the CFSB Center for the first time since the building opened in 1998.
With the renovation, the performance spaces inside the CFSB Center will receive a significant enhancement, with updates to the athletic training space and weight room and the anticipated additions of a nutrition oasis, rehab/prehab spaces, a hydrotherapy room, and more.
To learn more about the exciting new vision for the home of Racer Basketball, CLICK HERE.
Owens' involvement in the Department of Athletics is not just a personal endeavor, but a reflection of his shared commitment to the University as a whole and his desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young people.
Powered by his drive to help each Racer student-athlete grow outside of sport, Owens helped Murray State Athletics officially launch the Dennis Jackson Leadership Program (DJLP), which provides the needed tools for student-athletes in the areas of personal growth, life skills and professional development.
From recruitment through retirement, the program is a guide for student-athletes to be successful people both with their families and in their careers.
Owens has also been a constant at sporting events, both home and away, having travelled to competitive events with nearly every athletic program. His unwavering support goes above and beyond and is felt by all Racer student-athletes, who embrace the opportunity to interact with him on a regular basis.
Follow the Racers on X (@MSURacers), Instagram (@RacersAthletics) and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Murray State Athletics.
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