DECATUR, Ill. – The usually quiet campus atmosphere has been more lively this summer as construction work on the upcoming r is underway. 
Bulldozers and excavators are hard at work on the new 17,655-square-foot facility, located south of Frank M. Lindsay Field and west of Griswold Physical Education Center.β€―
The Rathje Athletic Center is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025 with BLDD, a Decatur firm, as the project's architectural partner.
The project is the latest transformation on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s campus, following projects like the Workman Family Baseball Field and the Center for Theatre & Dance. It was funded completely by donations, including generous lead gifts from David ’58 and Debra Rathje, Jim Perryman ’83, and the Perryman family.
The building floor plan includes:
• A weight room named in honor of former Big Blue Football Coach Carl Poelker ’68 and Jim Perryman ’83, a former NFL player. 
• Locker rooms to accommodate football and men's and women's track and field.
• A training room, conference room, and a team meeting room for multi-purpose use.
• Football Hall of Fame, retired jersey, and team recognition area.
• Offices for Football, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coaches and Athletic Director.
Take a look at the 3D renderings of the weight room in the new Rathje Athletic Center .β€―
The facility will also alleviate congestion in the Griswold Center and provide support to Big Blue student-athletes participating in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Athletics’ 22 different sports. In total, nearly 40% of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s students are current student-athletes or have participated in the past.
The project will also allow Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to host CCIW and NCAA championship competitions in the future.β€―
To learn more about the Rathje Athletic Center or to make a gift supporting this project, visit .
