UIC Receives Leadership Gift for New Softball Clubhouse

The following release information was issued by UIC and information and photo courtesy of UIC…

CHICAGO, Ill. – The UIC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to announce that Sandy Wichelecki and Suzanne Dukes of San Diego, Calif., have pledged the largest gift to a women’s athletics program in school history in support of Flames softball.

The $300,000 donation will serve as a leadership gift to fund the development of a day-to-day home for the softball program’s operations. The new facility will formally be known as the Sandra M. Wichelecki and Suzanne M. Dukes UIC Flames Softball Clubhouse. The commitment is the largest gift by a former female student-athlete in UIC history.

“This journey began with a softball scholarship from UIC, a scholarship that enabled a young woman with no means to attend college and get a degree,” Wichelecki said. “Our partnership continues a vision we have to promote women’s education through involvement in sports. We understand this gift will help other student-athletes begin their journeys in life. In turn, we are hopeful these student-athletes will continue this spirit of giving.”

Wichelecki played third base for the Flames from 1979-82 and is a 1983 UIC graduate with a degree in structural engineering. As a senior, she ranked among the top 25 in the nation with a .344 batting average, and she is still fourth in program history with a .369 career mark.

Following her graduation from UIC, Wichelecki earned her MBA from San Diego State University while working as an aerospace engineer for industry giant General Dynamics, where she was part of teams that developed transport systems and technology for Tomahawk missiles. She then found a second career as a business owner, running Looking Glass Marketing, a company that audits business systems, writes quality management manuals and procedures, performs internal audits and trains personnel for more than 15 manufacturing and distribution industries.

Dukes is co-founder of Hayes Bolt & Supply, a global distributor of commercial and military fasteners for the medical and aerospace industries. Since 1984, she has been the company’s president and CEO, while serving as a leader for several industry organizations, including the Western Association of Fastener Distributors and the Pacific-West Fastener Association.

“We cannot thank Sandy and Suzanne enough for their continued investment in UIC softball,” said UIC head softball coach Lynn Curylo. “They have been longtime supporters of our program, including an endowed scholarship for a Flames softball student-athlete in the College of Engineering. This latest gift will help us provide a world-class, state-of-the-art facility for our student-athletes. Sandy and Suzanne have taken a huge step for us in making this possible, but we are not done yet. We are calling on our entire family of softball alumni and friends to help get us to the finish line, so that we can realize our goal and take our program to even greater heights.”

Targeted for construction and completion in spring 2024, the new softball clubhouse will significantly elevate the student-athlete experience for present and future Flames. The facility will boast a number of amenities including:

• A dedicated study space for softball student-athletes to pursue their academic endeavors.
• A fueling station for nutrition and hydration to aid student-athletes in achieving and maintaining peak performance levels.
• A versatile student-athlete lounge, equipped with multiple flat-screen televisions, seating areas and communal tables that provide an ideal setting for film analysis and team meetings.
• A student-athlete recovery lounge, furnished with state-of-the-art therapy equipment.
• Individual offices for each member of the Flames’ coaching staff.
• A reception area to welcome student-athletes, recruits, and their families.
• A visual tribute to the storied legacy of UIC softball through graphics and displays that honor the program’s 16 regular-season conference championships, 12 conference tournament titles, 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and its memorable journey to the 1994 NCAA Women’s College World Series.

Upon completion, the Flames’ clubhouse will stand as one of the premier softball-specific facilities in the region and play a pivotal role in propelling the program to new heights, as UIC embarks on its second season in the Missouri Valley Conference.

“Today is a great day for UIC Athletics and Flames softball,” said Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz. “We are incredibly grateful to Sandy and Suzanne for their leadership and generosity to help create a new home for softball student-athletes. Their steadfast support continues to elevate the student-athlete experience and benefit generations of future Flames.”

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