Purdue News

April 7, 2000 Purdue names indoor swimming arena the Doris Z. Holloway Pool WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – It is fitting that Purdue officials will name the new indoor pool at the university's Boilermaker Aquatic Center the Doris Z. Holloway Pool. After all, Doris Holloway, her husband, Robert, and all four of their children graduated from Purdue, and the couple have supported Purdue in a variety of ways for the past half century. The couple also understand the importance of a quality swimming center for athletics. They own and operate three swimming clubs in the Louisville, Ky., area, including the Middletown Manor Swim Club and Jeffersontown Swim Club. "We both have a great, great love for Purdue, and I was very pleased to hear that Purdue named the pool in Doris' honor," said Holloway. "Doris has been very patient about all the time I've devoted to Purdue over the years, and swimming has been good for us. It's just a good thing all around." Mrs. Holloway, a 1947 liberal arts graduate, and her husband, a 1948 humanities graduate, said they believe the new aquatic center in Purdue's Recreational Sports Center will provide the university's intercollegiate swimming program with the type of facility needed to compete at a national level. The Olympic-size pool includes eight 50-meter lanes, a diving well and two 1-meter and two 3-meter boards, and a tower with three diving platforms. Both the men's and women's swim teams, as well as users and guests of the recreational gym, will use the facility. Swimming and water safety instruction classes will also take place in the center. Funding for the $17 million aquatics center comes from a number of private donations, including the Holloways. "One of the things that motivated us to help support the new pool is the fact that there is such a need for a competition-quality swimming pool," said Bob Holloway. "Also, we have two fine swim coaches at Purdue, and it's time for the university to have the best possible facility where they can coach." Purdue Athletic Director Morgan J. Burke said the Holloways' interest in the new center helped make the construction of the facility possible. "They've both been long-time supporters, and athletics is clearly an interest of Bob's," said Burke. "Bob has been a community representative on the Athletic Affairs Committee for 10 years, which is an oversight body to the University Senate that promotes high standards in intercollegiate athletics. Bob was also a Purdue Presidential Honors Scholarship presenter for students in the Louisville area. In addition, both of them have served on our Purdue Parents Advisory Council." As a student at Purdue, Bob Holloway was the sports editor of the university's student newspaper, the Exponent. Currently, the Holloways are members of the Purdue President's Council, Purdue Alumni Association, Falls Cities Purdue Club and the John Purdue Club. Burke said the new aquatic center will bring the university's swimming facilities into the 21st century. "What we're doing is taking three very old pools and creating a world-class aquatic center for men's and women's swimming and diving teams, for the instructional and recreational use of students, faculty and staff, and for intramural and club aquatic sports," he said. "Purdue is already recognized for its outstanding academics, and what we want to do is offer one of the best aquatic centers so we can compete for the brightest and very best intercollegiate swimmers." Construction on the Boilermaker Aquatic Center is under way, with the opening slated for August 2001. Upon completion, the facility will connect to the Recreational Sports Center, which is simultaneously getting a $7 million renovation. The projects are a cooperative venture among Intercollegiate Athletics, the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, and the Division of Recreational Sports. Sources: Morgan J. Burke, (765) 494-3189 Robert L. Holloway, (502) 245-5900 Writer: Cynthia Sequin, (765) 494-2073, csequin@uns.purude.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page