Memorial Gymnasium Floor Unveiled as Tim Heimann Court

Tim Heimann stands on Tim Heimann Court It came as a surprise to even the guest of honor, who admitted, "It's hard to keep secrets from me." But former Knox head men's basketball coach Tim Heimann was indeed surprised at the dedication of the freshly-painted Memorial Gymnasium floor, as it was unveiled as "Tim Heimann Court" during a ceremony on Saturday, April 26.

The court was named after Heimann, the 24-year head coach of the Knox men's basketball team who retired from coaching at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season. Knox President Roger Taylor, Duke Petrovich, Illinois State Representative Don Moffitt and Heimann spoke at the unveiling.

"It's really indeed an honor and a privilege for all of us to unveil and dedicate this court today and forever as Tim Heimann Court," said Petrovich, whose lead gift of $250,000 started the ball rolling on the Memorial Gymnasium renovation. With his gift, Petrovich had the naming rights to the floor, and chose to name it after Heimann.

"Our criteria was someone who has given their career to Knox, has lived the values, and who is also a good decision-maker," continued Petrovich. "It became automatic to us what type of person would really exemplify those values."

Renovations on Memorial Gymnasium continue, with the facility to be completed by the fall.

Pictured at left are Anne and Roger Taylor, Cathy and Tim Heimann, and Nancy and Duke Petrovich at the Tim Heimann Court unveiling on April 26.

Memorial Gym Renovations

The current wooden bleachers will be replaced by automatic-retracting wooden bleachers, which will make the gym easier to operate while allowing the facility to retain its historic-gym look.

After the current bleachers are torn out, the walls will be painted one consistent color and the floor will be redone. Then the new bleachers will be installed. The $500,000 renovation will also include a new ventilation system, a state-of-the-art sound system, acoustical panels to improve sound, scoreboard upgrades, new banners and logos, and a new scorers' table with modern hookups.

The renovations then extended into the foyer. The lobby renovations will include updating the concession stand and retrofitting the men's and women's restroom facilities to provide handicap accessibility.

Duke Petrovich '74 and his wife Nancy got the project rolling. Duke, a member of Phi Gamma Delta and senior vice president and chief administrative officer of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, has always had a strong interest in Knox athletics. He also had a close relationship with Knox basketball coach Tim Heimann '70 and his wife Cathy '70. The Petroviches' son Steve '06 was a member of the Prairie Fire men's basketball and men's tennis teams. Duke and Nancy came forth with a leadership gift of half of the total needed to complete the $500,000 project. Tom Anderson '66 and his wife Sue '71 later agreed to join in and came forward with a $100,000 gift for the renovation.

"Both the Petroviches and the Andersons are serving as examples of how capital projects can happen," said Knox College Vice President for Advancement Beverly Holmes. "They have a passion for this project, they have enthusiastically supported it, and they have encouraged others to come on board with them. Because of their work, this project has moved forward very quickly. This is the way you would hope most capital fund-raising projects would happen."

Contact
Brian Thiessen
bthiesse@knox.edu
309-341-7714