Jarren Duffy

Today was a day our family will never forget. Standing at the groundbreaking of the Gassen Family Fieldhouse was both humbling and surreal. I especially want to recognize Denny Sanford, whose extraordinary generosity made this project a reality. We miss him every day, and moments like this make that absence felt even more deeply. We would not have been celebrating this groundbreaking today if not for Denny and his commitment to creating opportunities for others. More than 25 years ago, my wife Jill and I arrived at the @usd as student-athletes. Little did we know how profoundly this university would shape our lives. It's where we earned our degrees, competed for the Coyotes, built lifelong friendships and began building our life together. When I think back on those years, I remember the competitions and long days of training, but mostly, I remember the people. The teammates who became lifelong friends. The coaches and educators who challenged us, believed in us and helped us see possibilities for our future that we couldn't yet see ourselves. We want future USD student-athletes to have the same opportunities we were blessed to receive. Opportunities to pursue their dreams, build lifelong relationships and develop the skills and confidence that will serve them for years to come. Having our family name associated with this facility is an honor we do not take lightly. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to give back to the institutions that helped shape our lives and to invest in future generations. Denny's impact will be felt by USD students and student-athletes for generations to come, and our family is grateful to play a small role in helping continue that legacy. On behalf of our family, thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible. Go Yotes!