Inspired by their daughter and son’s experiences at the University of Michigan, Philip and Nicole Hadley were eager to support recreation, health and well-being opportunities for students on campus.
Now, their family name will be synonymous with recreation and well-being at U-M.
In recognition of a $20 million total commitment, the Board of Regents voted Sept. 21 to name the new recreation center, now under construction, the Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center.
Their commitment represents the largest gift to date from a member of the Parent & Family Leadership Council, a network of volunteers who support the university and the student experience, as well as the largest gift ever to support campus recreation at U-M.
The Hadleys’ daughter, Kate, graduated from LSA in 2020, and their son, Eric, graduated from LSA in 2022, and from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in 2023 with a Master of Management degree.
“We are profoundly grateful to the Hadley family for their incredible generosity to our students and our university,” said President Santa J. Ono. “We are committed to building a campus where each member of our community can grow and thrive, and through this new center, students will do more than train and connect and achieve, they will learn lessons of wholeness and wellness that last a lifetime.”
The new Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center will enable greater access and opportunity for students, faculty and staff to improve their overall health.
The new facility is a key component of U-M’s Well-Being Collective, a comprehensive effort to make U-M a great place to live, work and learn, and will serve as an activity hub on the Ann Arbor campus. Studies have shown that campus recreation participants are more likely to report improved feelings of well-being as well as higher grade-point averages.
The 200,000-square-foot facility will include gymnasiums, an indoor aquatics center, a track for jogging and walking, spaces for weight and cardiovascular training, group exercise rooms, climbing areas, courts for squash and racquetball, a cycling studio, inclusive locker rooms, a mind/body studio and functional training spaces.
Visitors will have access to five floors filled with natural light and packed with amenities to exercise, socialize, enjoy friendly competition and explore the mind-body connection.
“Our whole family is delighted to support this world-class center for exercise, connection and wellness,” said Philip and Nicole Hadley. “We firmly believe that a healthy balance between mind, body and community fosters success on all levels. We are delighted that we can help provide a wonderful new environment for the next generation.”
WATCH THE PROGRESS
Demolition of the former Central Campus Recreation Building began in January. The new $165 million facility is being built on the same site and is scheduled for completion by fall 2025.
When the center opens, it is expected to be rated as a LEED Platinum facility, the highest standard by the U.S. Green Building Council and one of the most sustainable buildings on the U-M campus.
“We are excited about the opportunities that will be created with this new facility. The Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center will become one of, if not the, primary driver of well-being and connection for our students and the greater U-M community,” said Mike Widen, director of recreational sports.
“It is especially noteworthy that the Hadley family was inspired to name this facility following the exceptional experiences their children had at U-M,” said Martino Harmon, vice president for student life. “We can’t thank the Hadley family enough for their commitment to improving the U-M student experience for generations of future Wolverines.”
A 1984 alumnus of the University of Iowa, Philip Hadley was the chairman and CEO of Factset Research Systems from 2000-15. He currently serves on the boards of Kroll, Rocket Reach, Calero, Samba Safety, Clean Origin, ReOrg, Waterside School and Krause Group.
At U-M, Philip and Nicole Hadley were members of the Parent & Family Leadership Council from 2017-23 and have also supported the College of Engineering and LSA.
