Leaving on a High Note - Austin Peay State University

Making APSU Headlines
State-of-the-art Foy Fitness and Recreation Center opens, thanks to alumnus John Foy
Jan. 30, 2007, was a day of celebration at
Austin Peay State University as students, faculty,
staff, alumni and guests were on hand
for the dedication of the much-anticipated,
new fitness and recreation center located on
Marion Street.
With a price tag of more than $11 million,
the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center is
named in honor of Chattanooga alumnus John
N. Foy (’65). Foy and his wife, Trish, were
present for the ceremonies. Despite the bitter
cold, a standing-room-only crowd packed the
lobby of the Foy Center, spilling over onto
sidewalk areas.
The beautiful, bright center features a rockclimbing
wall, climbing boulder, three multipurpose
courts for basketball and racquetball,
two multiuse fitness rooms, an indoor cycling
studio, 10,000 square feet of fitness space,
several wellness classrooms and a health-food
bar. With an additional gift from Foy, a near
Olympic-size swimming pool adjacent to the
Foy Center will be constructed in the near
future.
“We want to thank the students of Spring
2004 who voted to impose a debt-service fee
on themselves so future students could benefit
from this beautiful facility,” said President
Sherry Hoppe at the dedication ceremony.
“And we also thank John Foy whose generous
gift made this center much bigger and
better than it would have been otherwise.
“John is a faithful alumnus who has quietly
supported his alma mater for years. It’s wonderful
to be able to show our appreciation by
putting his name on this magnificent building.”
Foy, who earned a bachelor’s degree from
APSU and a doctorate of jurisprudence from
the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, is the
board chair, chief financial officer and treasurer
for CBL & Associates Properties Inc.
Headquartered in Chattanooga, CBL &
Associates Properties Inc. is a real estate
investment trust (REIT) listed on the New
York Stock Exchange as CBL. It is the fourth
largest REIT in the country and owns, holds
interests in or manages 128 properties including
79 market-dominant malls and open-air
centers from coast to coast.
Foy has been involved in the shopping center
industry since 1968 when he joined the
Lebovitz shopping center development business.
In 1970, he became affiliated with
Arlen’s shopping center division. In 1978, he
and Charles B. Lebovitz established CBL’s
predecessor.
Foy is a former member of the National
Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
Board of Governors and former chair of the
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority
Board and the Salvation Army. From 1985-
1994, he served as chair on the board of directors
of First Fidelity Savings Bank of
Crossville.
Foy serves on the advisory boards of the
University of Chattanooga College of
Business and AmSouth Bank of Chattanooga.
He is a director and vice chair of the board of
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, a nonprofit
organization assisting with affordable
housing.
Lyle, Cook, Martin Inc., Clarksville, was
the architectural firm for the Foy Fitness and
Recreation Center. Construction by A & K
Construction Inc. began Sept. 12, 2005.
On Jan. 30, 2007, alumnus John Foy cuts the ribbon during the official dedication ceremonies for the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center at APSU as dignitaries, faculty,
staff and students celebrate the opening of the much-anticipated Foy Center.
Bill Persinger
8
Austin Peay