NU Regents Approve Hawks Donation for New Athletic Facility

The Howard and Rhonda Hawks Championship Center named after longtime supporters of Huskers athletics and academics.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In March 2006, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the naming of the new indoor athletic facility as the Howard and Rhonda Hawks Championship Center. The Hawks, a prominent Omaha family, had made a significant donation to support the construction of the new facility as well as the Memorial Stadium expansion project.

Why it matters

The Hawks' donation and the facility naming represented an important milestone in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's ongoing efforts to upgrade its athletic infrastructure and facilities to support its highly successful sports programs, which are a source of pride and community engagement for the state.

The details

The Howard and Rhonda Hawks Championship Center was a new indoor athletic facility constructed on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. The Hawks, who were longtime supporters of Huskers athletics and academics, made a substantial financial contribution that enabled the university to name the facility in their honor.

  • The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the naming of the facility in March 2006.

The players

Howard and Rhonda Hawks

A prominent Omaha family who were longtime supporters of University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics and academics, and made a significant donation to support the construction of the new indoor athletic facility and the Memorial Stadium expansion project.

University of Nebraska Board of Regents

The governing body of the University of Nebraska system, which approved the naming of the new indoor athletic facility after the Hawks family.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Hawks' donation and the facility naming demonstrated the important role that private philanthropy plays in enabling the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to invest in and upgrade its athletic infrastructure, which is a source of pride and community engagement for the state.