LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — Rick and David Kueber, leading Planet Fitness franchisees and co-founders of Sun Tan City, have committed $3 million toward the expansion of the University of Louisville’s campus training facility for men’s and women’s basketball and women’s lacrosse.
"We’re thrilled to be continuing our support of Cardinal athletics with this gift," said Rick Kueber. “The vision Vince Tyra has for the department and the positive energy coming from Coach (Chris) Mack, Coach Walz, Coach Teeter and their student-athletes made this an easy decision for us. We’re proud to have our brand and our name aligned with these programs.”
The Kuebers lead the franchise group who owns and operates the 15 Louisville and Southern Indiana-area clubs as well as 35 other Planet Fitness locations spread over five states (Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, and Mississippi).
“We want to thank Rick and David, as well as their families, for their continued extremely generous support for Cardinal Athletics,” said Vince Tyra, UofL Vice President/Director of Athletics. “They’ve been there for us each time we’ve asked them to step up over the last several years. We are blessed to have them in our community. We sincerely appreciate their investment as we seek to improve on opportunities for our student-athletes.”
In recognition of the donation, the currently named YUM! Center practice facility on the UofL campus will be renamed the Planet Fitness - Kueber Center, a move approved by the UofL Board of Trustees on Thursday.
Yum! Brands will exit their current naming rights agreement for the practice facility at the end of the year and provide a $625,000 gift to close their commitment. In addition to naming the training facility, the current Green Lot parking at Cardinal Stadium will be named the Planet Fitness Purple Lot.