By Madeline Swanson | Renderings by Integrated Design Solutions
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 the University of Michigan. 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 the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) in 2020, and their son Eric graduated from LSA in 2022 and in 2023 with a master of management degree from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
“We are profoundly grateful to the Hadley family for their incredible generosity to our students and our university,” said U‑M 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. 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, the new facility will serve as a hub for activity 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 GPAs.
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.”
Demolition of the former Central Campus Recreation Building at 401 Washtenaw Ave. began in January 2023. 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 “Phil” Hadley was the Chairman & CEO of Factset Research Systems from 2000-2015. He currently serves on the boards of Kroll, Rocket Reach, Calero, Samba Safety, Clean Origin, ReOrg, Waterside School, and Krause Group. At U‑M, Phil and Nicole served as members of the Parent & Family Leadership Council from 2017-2023 and have also supported the College of Engineering and LSA. Two of their children, Kate and Eric, are U‑M alumni.
View this web camera to follow the construction of the Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center.
