AU President Neil Kerwin and other University officials recognized the Cassell family at the dedication ceremony for Cassell Hall on Sept. 27.
Jack Cassell and his twin brother Stafford Cassell Jr. spoke before the ribbon cutting, recognizing their father Stafford Cassell Sr. and his role at AU.
Stafford Sr. worked at AU from 1952-1966 as vice president as well as an athletic director. His vice presidential office was located in the president’s building overlooking the site that now houses the Cassell building, according to Jack and the AU website. Stafford Sr. also served as an athletic director for the University.
Stafford Sr.’s involvement in AU athletics kept Jack and Stafford Jr. connected to the University after their father’s passing. It also motivated them to sponsor the 8,000 square foot gym on the ground floor of the residence hall, according to Jack and the AU website.
“My brother and I became bat boys at the baseball team [when we were kids],” Jack said. “We were ball boys at the basketball games…people that were student athletes here that mentored us and wanted us to become better are some of the finest memories I have at AU.”
In addition to the new athletic space, Cassell Hall houses 360 students, according to Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Donald Myers.
However, some first-year students still live in triples despite the added housing space.
“The new addition is just enough space to cover the space lost in the closing of Tenley campus,” Housing and Dining Assistant Vice President Christopher Moody said.
This will soon change with the opening of East Campus in August 2016. First-year students will only be put into triples by elective decision, according to Moody.
East Campus, to be located on the grounds of the Nebraska parking lot, will include additional residence halls intended for sophomores, according to Moody and the AU Campus Plan.
