INA, Ill. (Dec. 11, 2023) – Rend Lake College alumnus Warren Stark has acquired naming rights to the men’s locker rooms at the new Banterra Sports Complex at RLC. The locker rooms are an important part of a multi-million-dollar renovation to the facilities at James Waugh Gymnasium on the Ina campus. The RLC Foundation launched its capital campaign The Game Plan earlier this year.
FROM LEFT; RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills shows '94 Alumnus Warren Stark the men's locker rooms in the Waugh Gymnasium, later to be renovated to the Banterra Sports Complex at Rend Lake College.
Stark played basketball while attending RLC from 1992 to 1994. During his time as a student-athlete, he was working full-time on the maintenance staff. He remembers long days spent on RLC’s campus attending classes, playing at the basketball games, and staying late to clean the gym. When he worked midnight shifts, he would sometimes stay overnight in the men’s locker rooms because he knew he would have to come back the next day for classes.
“I learned my work habits from Rend Lake College, on the maintenance crew and in the athletic department,” Stark said.
Stark’s work ethic and drive is what makes him a proud Warrior to this day. He recounts fondly the long-term friendships he has that started at RLC. When he returned to campus and visited the gym that was once a home-away-from-home, he was flooded with good memories, but he also felt his heart sink, he said. He couldn’t believe how everything was the same from when he was a student over 20 years ago.
“I was almost compelled to give a donation. I spent so much time there. I slept in the locker room, school all day, working midnights. I was very compelled to give a donation.”
Stark has big ideas for the changes he wants implemented to the locker rooms. “I envision a couple of reclining chairs, big flat screen TV, and computers for the students to do their homework.” He wants the student athletes who use the facilities to feel proud of their gym and to be comfortable using the amenities provided.
Other Major Gift naming opportunities that are available include: the Event Center, Lobby Entrance, Tim Wills Coaches Corner, Training Room, Locker Plaques, Concessions, and tributes to coaches like Wayne Arnold, Waugh, Mike McClure and Mitch Haskins.
Construction is estimated to start in Fall 2024 with a goal of being finished by December 2025. Companies and donors who are interested in supporting The Game Plan capital campaign should contact Major Gift Officer Dawn Johnson at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1213, or by email at johnsond@rlc.edu. A website is also available for supporters to donate and learn more about The Game Plan. Visit rlc.edu/gameplan.
About Rend Lake College
Student journeys have started at Rend Lake College since 1955, when it was originally founded as Mt. Vernon Community College before its transformation to Rend Lake College in 1967. The college sits about 12 miles south of the intersection of Interstates 57 and 64 and covers a total of 1,850 square miles. Rend Lake College serves all or parts of eight counties, including the major portions of Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, and Perry counties.
Rend Lake College offers more than 100 associate degrees and occupational certificates for students wanting to earn a transfer degree or learn a skill or trade. Agriculture, welding, culinary arts, nursing, computers and many more career programs are available, plus transferable associate degrees for students seeking a bachelor’s degree.
About The Game Plan
The Game Plan is an opportunity to renovate and expand the facilities at Waugh Gymnasium on the Rend Lake College Campus.
It has been more than 50 years since the facilities at Waugh Gym have undergone any significant renovations. In that time, many talented players and coaches have rallied to bring wins on and off the court. In addition to the athletic accomplishments the gym has facilitated, it also brought in leaders that taught character development, teamwork, and academic importance. The lessons taught in the gym have gone on to help countless individuals, not only in their lives, but in the lives of others as well. In order to aid recruitment efforts, we aim to provide our student athletes a home that is fit for a Warrior.
About Rend Lake College Warriors and Banterra Sports Complex
Rend Lake College is a member of the Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Rend Lake College Warrior and Lady Warrior teams compete in archery, men and women’s basketball, baseball, men and women’s golf, softball, trapshooting, and women’s volleyball. The 2021-2022 Warriors’ basketball team was named NJCAA Academic Team of the Year, finishing with a collective of 3.61 GPA. In 2013, the Warrior men's basketball team won the Division II national championship.
The planned Banterra Sports Complex at Rend Lake College will include the existing James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium as well as a new addition to the space. Waugh Gymnasium is one of the original buildings on the college’s campus and in 1995 was named after Waugh, a long-time coach and educator with nearly 50 combined athletic seasons to his credit when he retired. In addition to the gym, it includes athletic offices and locker rooms.
