UCF athletics receives $2.5 million pledge from Wayne Densch Trust

UCF ‘s football practice fields will be renamed the Wayne Densch Practice Complex in honor of a $2.5 million pledge from the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust.

It’s all part of a commitment from the former Knights supporter and Orlando businessman, who passed away in 1994 through his charitable trust.

“Mr. Densch’s handshake commitment to former Athletic Director Gene McDowell to donate $1M dollars to help save the UCF football team in 1985 is a key cornerstone of his legacy in our community,” John, Michael and Len Williams, trustees of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust said in a statement. “Our father rightfully continued this legacy of support, and our family is honored by the opportunity we have to continue Mr. Densch’s generosity and dedication to UCF.”

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Densch, who owned Wayne Densch Inc., a beer distribution company, has long supported UCF. Through his trust, the athletic department has received millions of dollars in financial commitments, including a $2.5 million gift in 2002 that helped construct the Wayne Densch Sports Center , which opened in 2003. The building currently houses the football offices, meeting rooms, training rooms and weight rooms.

His trust pledged $4 million in 2014 to construct the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership , which houses academic, personal and career development services for athletes.

“From our athletics program’s earliest years, the power of philanthropy has helped UCF student-athletes succeed nationally in competition, in the classroom and as future leaders in their careers,” UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir said in the statement. “We are grateful for the important role Wayne Densch and the Williams family have played in advancing our program to where we are today, and we look forward to what we will accomplish together in the Big 12.”

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This new financial pledge supports the Hagle Football Gateway project, part of a proposed football campus set to feature the Taylor A. Gerring Football Center, which will house the football administration and coaches.

The Gateway will also feature Nicholson Plaza and McNamara Cove, providing athletes with a recovery river and hydrotherapy. The commitment will cover renovating the Wayne Densch Sports Center, providing a new locker room, and constructing a new VIP parking lot and pedestrian promenade.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com