Al Irwin Academic Center to Provide Enhanced Resources for UCI Student-Athletes
May 18 article in The Current on Al Irwin
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine student-athletes
will benefit from first-class student-support services in the
Al Irwin Academic Center, planned for
construction during a renovation project within the existing space
at Crawford Hall. The project, with a lead gift from the generosity
of Martha and Jim Newkirk, will expand the space for vital
student-support services for Anteater student-athletes.
The center is named for Al Irwin, UCI’s first water polo and
swim coach as well as an athletic administrator, whose impact on
athletics has been felt throughout Orange County.
ABOUT MR. AL IRWIN
Al Irwin, who helped build the foundation for athletic programs
across Orange County, has created a legacy with his thoughtful
guidance of future leaders. Today, Al continues to be a life coach,
a mentor, and a close friend for so many people within this
community. Al, UC Irvine’s first water polo and swim coach,
is an individual whose influence over young lives has made a
lasting impression on many within the Orange County community;
especially those who had the honor to compete for him. The
Al Irwin Academic Center will be a
dedicated space to continue his vision and commitment to teaching
and preparing young people for making an impact in their
community.
Al Irwin spent 13 years at UC Irvine from 1965-78. In 1970, he was
the assistant coach with the water polo team that won the team's
first-ever NCAA Division I championship. In addition to his
coaching legacy at UC Irvine, Irwin became the acting vice chairman
of the UCI Department of Physical Education and Assistant Director
of Athletics until his retirement in 1978. Al has earned numerous
awards for his work as a standout coach and athlete at Newport
Harbor High School. As an athlete, Al earned 15 high school varsity
letters and went on to play college football at the University of
the Pacific, where he earned All-Coast honors.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Upon completion, the Al Irwin Academic
Center sends a clear and powerful message to
scholar-athletes, coaches, the surrounding community, and alumni
about UCI’s commitment to transforming the student-athlete
experience by providing a quality learning environment. The center
will provide a comprehensive area which will house services such as
academic consultation for course selection, class scheduling, and
skills development classes (including study strategy workshops,
note and test taking), orientation for freshman and transfer
student-athletes as well as academic and life management skills.
The Al Irwin Academic Center will also
assist with summer-school assessment and assistance, tutoring and
mentoring opportunities, computer and printer-lab access. Other
possible uses for the center include post-eligibility programs for
internships, résumé-building opportunities,
networking, and job searches for the department’s 400
student-athletes. The new center will provide intellectual and
social community support that contributes to the holistic
development of student-athletes and stimulates camaraderie among
all students throughout UCI’s 18 Division I sports.
OPPORTUNITIES TO INVEST IN THE BEST AND THE
BRIGHTEST
The Al Irwin Academic
Center and the features within the
center will provide resources for student-athletes, who give
everything they have to make the grade in representing UCI, through
this new aid and support center. The center will dramatically
expand student-athlete access to computers, study areas,
classrooms, and offices for private sessions. New study hall space
will expand to approximately 2500 sq. ft., to include a computer
lab that will occupy 1600 sq. ft. and tutoring rooms will occupy
550 sq. ft. of the space. The center’s highlights include a
modern computer lab with the latest information technology,
dedicated tutoring and study space, staff offices for confidential
sessions, and casual study area.
WITH YOUR SUPPORT
With your help, we can honor Al’s lifelong efforts by paying
it forward to current and future UC Irvine student-athletes while
also continuing Al’s legacy of developing future leaders.
This project has been made possible through a generous contribution
from Martha and Jim Newkirk, long-time supporters of UC Irvine and
opportunities for success among student-athletes. Please consider
joining the Newkirk family in this endeavor by making a personal
contribution towards this project. For additional information or to
make a gift in support of the Al Irwin Academic
Center please contact Kara Correa at (949) 824-0055
or kcorrea@uci.edu. To make a gift on-line, CLICK HERE and go to "Capital Campaign
2012".
________________________________________________________________
For UC Irvine Athletics ticket information, please call (949) 824-5000 or e-mail athletics.tickets@uci.edu. For more information click here.
For information on how you can help support UC Irvine Athletics, please call (949) 824-6933 or e-mail aaf@uci.edu. For additional information, click here.
