TURLOCK – Ed and Bertha Fitzpatrick, owners of Valley Lexus/Valley BMW in Modesto and other car dealerships in the Bay Area, have contributed $500,000 to California State University, Stanislaus. As a result, University President Ham Shirvani will be recommending to the CSU Chancellor that the campus’ Warrior Arena be renamed the Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena.
The Fitzpatricks have a long-standing relationship with CSU Stanislaus, with Ed having served on the University’s Foundation Board for many years. The couple has also been active in supporting the Warrior Athletics program and regularly attends home basketball games.
“I am so grateful to Ed and Bertha for their generous gift,” Shirvani said. “The Fitzpatricks have been strong supporters of CSU Stanislaus for many years. It is a delight to know them professionally through their work on the Foundation Board, but they are also dear personal friends of Fathy’s and mine.”
“Bertha and I are proud to support our local University in producing well-rounded graduates,” Ed Fitzpatrick said. “Academics and athletics must work hand in hand to help students develop both the mind and the body. Over the past few years, we have seen CSU Stanislaus grow academically and athletically under Ham’s leadership. The Cal State Stanislaus Warriors have great years ahead of them, and we will be cheering from the sidelines.”
Subject to approval by the CSU Board of Trustees, a naming ceremony will be held by CSU Stanislaus later this fall to officially change the name of Warrior Arena to the Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena. The building will stand as a testimony of the couple’s legacy gift and support for higher education.
The Arena hosts approximately a half million visitors annually and serves as the hub of campus activity for school spirit and sportsmanship.
