Ohio couple gives $5M to Notre Dame for band facility

SOUTH BEND, IND. » An Ohio couple has donated $5 million to the University of Notre Dame for a marching band practice field.

The university announced the donation by Kenn and Pamela Ricci of Willoughby on Tuesday. The facility will be used by the marching band as a rehearsal field with lights and an artificial turf football field with a band director’s tower.

When the band isn’t using it, Ricci Family Fields and two additional lighted turf fields will be used for recreational sports. Construction of the three fields and a support building is scheduled to begin next spring and be completed by August 2017.

Kenn Ricci was a member of the band while an undergraduate. He graduated in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE The Notre Dame marching band performs before an NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Navy in October 2015 in South Bend, Ind.