JACKSONVILLE--During its quarterly meeting, the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees voted Tuesday morning to approve the naming of the University's future football indoor practice facility as the Ken and Jenny Howell Football Indoor Practice Facility, honoring longtime supporters whose commitment to Jax State has helped shape the institution for decades.

A resolution honoring the Howells was presented Monday during the Board's Athletics Committee meeting. The formal naming approval followed with Tuesday's vote of the full Board. The naming of the facility also recognizes a transformational commitment by the Howells. Their $10 million gift—the largest in Jacksonville State University history—will help fund the construction of the privately funded football indoor practice facility and support the continued growth of the University's athletics programs.

"Ken and Jenny Howell represent the very best of the Jacksonville State family," said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. "Their generosity comes from a deep love for this institution and for the students who call it home. While this will be called a football facility, its impact will reach far beyond one program—serving other groups across campus and creating opportunities that will enhance the student experience in meaningful ways. What Ken and Jenny have done for Jax State is almost immeasurable in the lives they have helped shape, and we are profoundly grateful for their trust, their friendship, and their enduring commitment to this University."

Ken and Jenny Howell's support of Jacksonville State spans decades and reflects a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, and campus life. Ken was named Alumnus of the Year in 2014 and is a member of the University's Lifetime Leaders Society. The Howells' philanthropic impact is visible across campus through previous naming gifts, including the Ken and Jenny Howell Dance Studio and Rehearsal Hall at the Randy Owen Center for Performing Arts and the Kenneth and Jenny Howell Auditorium in Merrill Hall, home to Jax State's College of Business and Industry.

"Jacksonville State has meant a great deal to Jenny and me for a long time," said Ken Howell. "We love this University and all of its students who make it such a special place, and we're proud of the young people who represent Jax State as Gamecocks. It means a great deal to us to support something that will serve the University for years to come."

In addition, the Howells established the Ken and Jenny Howell Scholarship to support full-time undergraduate accounting majors, with preference given to students from Calhoun County and cadets in the University's ROTC program. Mr. Howell, a 1972 graduate, participated in the University's advanced ROTC program before earning his degree in accounting.

The planned facility will include an 84,282-square-foot indoor practice facility and an 11,424-square-foot football performance center featuring a weight room and cardio training space. Together, the facilities will serve as a year-round training environment for Jax State Football. The indoor facility will feature a full-length 120-yard synthetic turf practice field, complete with goal posts, catch netting, and a dedicated viewing platform. Designed with a long-span steel gabled framing system and a standing seam metal roof, the facility will be fully climate-controlled with HVAC systems to allow consistent training regardless of weather conditions.

The exterior design will include brick veneer and metal exterior panels, aluminum storefront glazing units, and translucent panels that allow for natural, diffused light throughout the interior space. Inside, the building will utilize CMU construction and acoustical metal wall panels. The project also includes additional vehicular parking to the east of the facility, along with RV parking along the west and south sides.

"This gift is truly transformational for Jax State Athletics," said Jax State Vice President of Athletics Greg Seitz. "The Ken and Jenny Howell Football Indoor Practice Facility will provide our student-athletes with a first-class training environment and demonstrate, in a very tangible way, the level of support behind our programs. Ken and Jenny's generosity elevates what we are able to offer and strengthens our ability to compete at the highest level."

"This facility will make an immediate difference for our football program," said head football coach Charles Kelly. "Having an indoor practice space allows us to train consistently, develop our players more effectively, and prepare the right way regardless of the weather. More importantly, it shows our student-athletes that they are supported and believed in. We are incredibly thankful to Ken and Jenny Howell for what this means to our team and to Jax State Football."



The naming of the Ken and Jenny Howell Football Indoor Practice Facility stands as a lasting expression of gratitude from the Jacksonville State University family and reflects the enduring impact of generosity founded on service, loyalty, and belief in the mission of the University.