Did The Mayor's Attitude Cost Our Area $10,000,000?

[Towntalk]

I still don't understand how the Youngstown Mayor is to blame for a Warren businessman using his own money whatever way he wants. This $10,000,000.00 is not taxpayer dollars, so to be perfectly honest, it's no ones business. If anyone has a gripe, it should be coming from Warrenites, not Youngstowners. Too many people poke their noses into matters that are none of their business, and I wouldn't blame the Covelli family if they wrote off doing anything for Youngstown.

[Rick Rowlands]

Always seems to be plenty of money for sport arenas and practice facilities, while buildings in which classes are held fall to dust. 

[Towntalk]

The newest addition to the Ohio State University athletic complex will be named after a Warren business.

Covelli Enterprises said Tuesday they will donate $10 million to the university to help build the 4,000 seat Covelli Arena that will house seven sports, including training facilities, and will be an occasional venue for women's basketball games.

The $10 million gift is the largest gift in the history of OSU's athletic department.

Covelli said in an exclusive interview Tuesday that he and his wife and business partner Caryn became enamored with the Ohio State campus after having success with their Panera stores in Columbus, including the company's largest store near where the new complex will be built.

He said it was a way to give back to the community that has supported his restaurants.

"I established so many great relationships at Ohio State, with administrators and the athletic department," Sam Covelli said. "It was really a neat experience to be part of Ohio State's campus. The support has been unbelievable. We have everyone from the campus coming to our restaurant on a daily basis. They've been very receptive. We've gone to games with many administrators. It's been fun. And we just fell in love with the college."

Covelli said he met with Gee and attended several sporting events with Smith.

Caryn Covelli said she was able to meet several athletes that frequented the Lane Avenue store in Columbus and wanted to part of the athletic complex's creation.

"We're excited to be at Ohio State," Caryn Covelli said. "It's a great place to be and Columbus is a great city. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Covelli will present a ceremonial check to Gee during halftime at the Ohio State-Michigan game on Saturday. Covelli Enterprises, at 3900 E. Market St., is North America's largest franchisee of Panera Bread restaurants.

The university said the arena will be part of a long-range expansion project in the campus' current athletic district. The Schottenstein Center, also named Value City Arena, will still house the Buckeyes home men's basketball games.

Covelli said the complex will be built behind the Schottenstein Center and expect to have the complex built sometime in 2014.

Covelli Arena will be home to seven varsity sports including volleyball gymnastics, fencing and wrestling, OSU said. It will serve as a training facility for men's and women's volleyball, as an occasional venue for women's basketball and will host local tournaments and camps.

Spaces in the state-of-the-art facility will be adaptable, allowing the venue to be custom configured by event, according to the university.

"As we came to know Caryn and Sam Covelli, their passion for the Ohio State University and its athletic program was clear," Smith said in a statement. "Their investment in the Covelli Arena is a leadership gift that will provide a first class teaching and competitive facility for Olympic sports."

Covelli Arena will house new locker rooms, offices and training and treatment room. It will feature administrative offices, a ticket office, concession areas and a catering space, the university said.

Coveill also donated $150,000 to help the construction of a new basketball practice facility. Sam Covelli also said he expected to be part of Youngstown's Covelli Centre as long as they keep attracting top-level acts and concerts.

"We take great pride in the university and want to do all that we can to support its continued success," Covelli said. "We recognize that in order for our athletic programs to continue to be the best in the country, it is important that our student athletes have state-of-the art facilities to train and compete. We are confident that the Covelli Arena will make a positive impact on student athletes and look forward to being part of the University in the years to come."

[Towntalk]

If you're referring to the $10 million that the Covelli family gave to Ohio State, why didn't you just come right out and say it?

Who said that they gave the money to OSU because of the Mayor? Names please? And what was their source?

[jay]

I heard an interesting discussion on the radio this morning.  A media personality stated that the mayor's attitude toward the convocation center caused a potential $10,000,000 donation to go elsewhere.