Swimming & Diving Locker Room, Volleyball Office Suite To Be Named For Mercer Family

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Athletics announced on Thursday that the swimming and diving locker room will be named the Mercer Family Locker Room and the volleyball office suite inside CEFCU Arena will be named the Mary Mercer Volleyball Office Suite, following a significant investment from longtime Redbird supporter Mary Mercer and family.
 
The facility namings are part of a larger $525,000 agreement that will support Redbird Football, Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Swim & Dive, and the Battle Bird Society, pending Illinois State University Board of Trustees approval. With Mary's support, work has already begun on the brand-new locker room within the Horton Pool for the Redbird swim & dive program. 
 
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to support programs that mean so much to me," Mary Mercer said. "Illinois State Athletics has played an important role in my family's lives, as well as those of student-athletes, and I'm proud to contribute to their continued success."
 
Mary Mercer is a two-time graduate of Illinois State, with both a bachelor's degree and master's degree to her credit, and her late husband, Rollie, was also a graduate of ISU where he was a member of the Redbird Football program. The Mercy Family's ties to Normal continued, as two of Mary's daughters Krista and Amy graduated from Illinois State, with Amy being a member of the Redbird Swimming & Diving team. Throughout the years, both Mary and Rollie served on various Athletics councils and boards and the couple has an endowed scholarship called the 'Rollie and Mary Mercer Endowed Scholarship' that was established to provide financial assistance for an ISU football student-athlete with preference given to an offensive player that demonstrates a "team-first attitude." 
 
"Mary's support of Redbird Athletics speaks volumes about her commitment to our student-athletes and their success," Illinois State Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation Nathaniel Smith said. "Her investment in Football, Volleyball, Women's Basketball, and Swim & Dive will have a lasting impact, and we are grateful to have her as part of the Redbird family."

Mary is a long-time season ticket holder for Redbird Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, and Volleyball and continues to support the Redbirds whenever she can.

"We are so incredibly grateful for the continued support of Mary Mercer," ISU volleyball head coach Allie Matters said. "She cares for our program immensely and every student-athlete that wears the Redbird jersey. Mary has supported us through amazing wins and heartbreaking losses, and everything in between. She is a positive presence in our gym and embodies true Redbird spirit. Mary deserves recognition for all that she provides for our program, and it's a no brainer that our office suite be named in her honor. Her generous commitment will affect many student-athletes and coaches for years to come. Mary's name outside our offices will serve as a daily reminder of generosity, loyalty, and kindness. Thank you, Mary!"
 
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