DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University officially dedicated the new David J. & Debra C. Rathje Athletic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, during the University’s 2025 Homecoming celebration. The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew alumni, donors, trustees, and community leaders to campus for a moment of pride and remembrance.
The $12.3 million, 17,655-square-foot facility serves as a centerpiece of Big Blue Athletics, providing new locker rooms, a training room, a weight room, offices, and multipurpose meeting space for student-athletes.
Speaking at the ceremony were President Dean Pribbenow, Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement Lori Kerans ’85, Head Football Coach Billy Riebock, student-athlete Maddie Maragni, David Rathje’s daughter Kelly Brandon, lead donor Jim Perryman ’83, and Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce President Mirinda Rothrock ’04.
“Today is so much more than bricks and mortar,” Pribbenow said. “This building is the promise of a vibrant future built on a foundation of vision, generosity, and a shared belief in the power of athletics to shape character, build community, and strengthen the Millikin experience for generations to come.
Pribbenow emphasized the lasting impact of the new facility and added that the Rathje Center is not only a resource for Athletics, but also a signal to prospective students. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Rathje family and the Perryman family.
“Nearly 40% of our students are athletes, and this facility demonstrates Millikin’s commitment to their success. It will enhance recruitment and retention, allow us to host CCIW and NCAA championships, and serve as a gathering place where friendships, mentorships, and the Big Blue spirit will thrive,” Pribbenow said. “David and Debbie Rathje, along with Jim Perryman and his family, have given us more than a building – they have given us the gift of opportunity, pride, and community. Their legacy will live on in the lives of every student who trains, learns, and grows here.”
The Rathje Athletic Center is named in honor of David J. Rathje ’58, a Millikin alumnus, philanthropist, and Decatur business leader who passed away in June 2025, and his wife, Debra C. Rathje. The Rathje family’s gift, along with significant support from Jim Perryman ’83 and the Perryman family, made the facility possible.
Kelly Rathje Brandon, daughter of David Rathje, reflected on her father’s legacy at Friday’s ceremony.
“It was my dad’s hope that this contribution would encourage a commitment to a healthy lifestyle and instill a value of community to all who step through these doors,” she said. “Athletics was a big part of his life, and this building continues that spirit.”
Jim Perryman ’83, former NFL player and a lead donor to the Rathje Center alongside his family, reflected on what the project means to him personally. He also issued a rallying call to alumni and supporters.
“The Perryman family is proud to be part of this facility. Millikin shaped me as a player, as a student, and as a person. My coaches and teammates taught me discipline, accountability, and how to work hard for a goal, and those lessons carried me into my professional career and into building our family business. This center will do the same for future generations of Big Blue athletes,” Perryman said. “We have the ball, and let’s not fumble it. Together, we can make Millikin a championship program again. This facility is just the beginning of what’s possible when alumni, students, and the community come together.”
For students, the Rathje Center represents opportunity, pride, and validation of their hard work. Senior track and field athlete Maddie Maragni, a two-time CCIW Academic All-Conference honoree, spoke at the ceremony about what the building means to her and her peers.
“As an athlete myself, I’ve watched this building come to life from the very start – from seeing the old gym torn down my freshman year to watching the walls rise each season,” Maragni said. “Now, to be in this space is incredible. The new weight room gives us the equipment and space we need to push ourselves further, and the hot and cold tubs and strength coaches mean we’re training smarter, not just harder.”
But for Maragni, the center is about more than facilities.
“This is a place where sports interact and create a culture full of energy and support. It raises the bar for Millikin Athletics and shows recruits and current athletes alike that we are valued,” she said. “It’s a tangible reminder that Millikin and our community believe in us – and that belief motivates us to be our best.”
