The Ohio State University has received a commitment of $1.5 million from Joan and George Steinbrenner of Tampa, Fla. The gift supports the Joan Zieg Steinbrenner Band Center at Ohio Stadium, being built as part of the stadium renovation project.

The new band center will occupy 22,000 square feet, spread over two upper levels on the northeast curve of Ohio Stadium. It will include an "acoustically correct" rehearsal area, occupying 5,000 square feet--more than doubling current rehearsal space--with remaining space to accommodate:

* Smaller, multi-use practice rooms to enable individual sectional rehearsals

* Music library

* Locker rooms and uniform storage areas

* Instrument storage and repair areas

* Offices and work areas for staff, directors, and alumni

* Lobby, featuring display areas for memorabilia, awards, and donor recognition

In addition, the new facility will feature elevator access to both levels, as well as direct access to the stadium's ground level from several doors.

"We are very grateful to Joan and George for this generous gift, which embodies the spirit and vitality of not just the Ohio State bands, but of the entire university," said Ohio State Director of Athletics Andy Geiger.

"We're very close to meeting the band center's campaign goal of $4 million, thanks to the partnership of the Steinbrenners and other alumni and donors, the College of the Arts, the Department of Athletics, and the band members themselves," said Jerry A. May, vice president for development and president of The Ohio State University Foundation.

The Steinbrenners are longtime friends of the Ohio State Department of Athletics and have well-known ties to Columbus. Joan, a graduate of Upper Arlington High School, is also a graduate of Ohio State, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Her father, Harold Zieg, was the owner and founder of Harold Zieg Realty in Columbus. George, a marching band enthusiast, attended Ohio State before graduating from Williams College in Williamstown, Mass.

Joan is deeply involved in the Tampa community, where she is chairwoman of the Red Cross Angels and a trustee for St. Joseph's Hospital and the Florida Orchestra. In addition, she serves as trustee for the Eye Foundation at the University of South Florida, where she also serves on the Sun Dome Committee.

The Steinbrenner gift was part of Ohio State's five-year, $1.23 billion "Affirm Thy Friendship" fund-raising campaign, which concluded on June 30, 2000.

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