Pegulas give Houghton College $12 million

Nate Dougherty//December 2, 2011//

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Terrence Pegula and wife Kim Pegula, who grew up in Fairport. (Photo by Bill Wippert/Buffalo Sabres)

Thanks to the new owner of the Buffalo Sabres and Rochester Americans, Houghton College is set to receive the second-largest gift in its 128-year history. The college received a letter of intent for a $12 million gift from Houghton alumna Kim Pegula and her husband Terry Pegula.

It will be used to build a multisports complex on Houghton’ College’s campus, official said.

“This is truly a transformational gift in every sense of the word, as it will provide new athletics facilities as the college expands its sports offerings to transition into the NCAA Division III, Empire 8 conference,” said Shirley Mullen, Houghton College president. “We sincerely thank the Kerr and Pegula families, particularly Ralph Kerr, for making this gift a reality and for their support of Houghton’s students and community,”

Kerr is Kim Pegula’s father. Kerr, a Houghton community member, is to be the Pegulas’ personal representative on the project.

The vision and scope of the project is being shaped by a campus committee, which will make several recommendations to the board of trustees.

The multisport turf field facility will be home to the Houghton Highlander baseball, softball, field hockey and lacrosse teams, officials said. It is expected to include lighted, regulation-size fields that also can enhance the intramural program.

The hope is that the multipurpose field house will provide dedicated practice space for outdoor sports over the winter and during inclement weather, and also serve as a hub of involvement for the campus and the surrounding communities of Northern Allegany County and Western New York, Houghton officials said.

Houghton College has been accepted for exploratory membership in NCAA Division III. As part of that process, Houghton has been accepted by the Empire 8 Conference.