Phillips Family Pledges Major Gift to UNI-Dome Campaign

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A $300,000 gift from Zac and Sara Phillips of Denver, Colorado, will help build the next generation UNI-Dome for the Cedar Valley. 

The couple said their donation honors the important role Panther Athletics has played in their lives, going back to Sara's youth spent attending football as well as basketball games in the Dome prior to the construction of the McLeod Center. 

"It's a facility that I always found to be magical," said Sara, who graduated from UNI's marketing program in 2004. 

She added that, as a third-generation Panther, she views their gift as "building that foundation for students tomorrow, and even further down the road." 

"Sara and Zac Phillips are both enthusiastic supporters of the University of Northern Iowa," said UNI President Mark Nook. "This gift to the UNI-Dome renovation project is just the latest example of their commitment to the students we serve and the quality of life that UNI brings to the Cedar Valley and the state of Iowa. This support is greatly appreciated by the students, faculty and staff of UNI and the greater Cedar Valley community."

"Sara and Zac are true Panther champions," said UNI Associate VP for University Advancement Steve Gearhart. "Sara made her first gift to UNI Athletics while still an undergraduate student at UNI, and her commitment to our student-athletes has been unwavering. Zac, a Penn State grad, joins Sara in her desire to continue to improve the UNI-Dome for generations to come. Their leadership gift will continue creating life-time experiences for the entire Cedar Valley and beyond."

The UNI-Dome project is slated to bring the most comprehensive renovations to the UNI-Dome since it was constructed in 1976. said the project will give future generations the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the facility and make memories of their own. 

"Athletics, in a college sense, is the front porch to a university," said Zac. "It's what brings people together. Knowing that the Dome needed our help, this seemed like the place we could make the most impact." 

The couple's gift to the UNI-Dome project adds to their enduring support for Panthers success both on and off the field. Through scholarships and service on various leadership boards, Zac and Sara Phillips have given generously to promote academic and competitive excellence for UNI student-athletes. In 2019, the couple was recognized with the President's Emerging Philanthropist Award for their demonstrated philanthropic and creative leadership in support of UNI. 

In honor of Phillips family's investment, they will be recognized with a premier named space in the new UNI-Dome facility.

The UNI-Dome renovation project is a part of UNI's Our Tomorrow campaign. 

Donations to the UNI-Dome project are tax-deductible through the UNI Foundation and can be made as a multi-year pledge.

For more information and to view the renderings, visit the UNI-Dome renovation website, unidomerenovation.com. Additional questions about the UNI-Dome renovation can be sent to Jamar Thompson, associate athletic director for external affairs, at 319-273-7817 or jamar.thompson@uni.edu.