Le Moyne College is proud to announce a foundational $1 million gift from alumnus and trustee Joseph M. Savage '84 to name the College's basketball arena the Donald J. Savage '51 Basketball Arena, honoring the legacy of his father and advancing Le Moyne's commitment to NCAA Division I athletics.
This significant investment represents a major step forward for Le Moyne Athletics and will support enhancements to a competition-ready facility that reflects the College's continued growth at the Division I level while reinforcing its commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes. Moving forward, Le Moyne basketball and volleyball will compete on Ted Grant Court at the Donald J. Savage '51 Basketball Arena, located within the Event Center at the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex.
"With this gift, I am honored to celebrate my father, Donald J. Savage '51, whose love for basketball and Le Moyne College shaped so much of my own journey," said Joseph M. Savage '84. "It is my hope that the Donald J. Savage Basketball Arena will help elevate Le Moyne's ability to recruit and develop outstanding student-athletes who want to compete at the Division I level while receiving a Catholic, Jesuit education grounded in values, leadership, and service."
Donald J. Savage '51 holds a unique and lasting place in Le Moyne history. He arrived at the College as a two-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and basketball. Savage set a Dolphins' career basketball scoring record with 1,341 points and remains the only basketball player in the College's history to advance to the NBA, where he played for the Syracuse Nationals.
His remarkable athletic achievements and enduring connection to Le Moyne have long been a source of pride for his family and the broader College community. Deeply intertwined with his love for athletics was his commitment to Le Moyne and its mission, an influence that shaped his life.
"Joe Savage's generosity reflects a deep appreciation for family, faith, and the transformative power of Jesuit education," said Linda M. LeMura, President of Le Moyne College. "Naming the Donald J. Savage Basketball Arena is a powerful tribute to a remarkable legacy and a meaningful investment in our future. We are profoundly grateful for Joe's leadership, his service on the Board of Trustees, and his steadfast commitment to Le Moyne."
Savage's philanthropy has had a lasting impact on the College. In 2015, he established the Savage–McGill Family Center for Reflective Leadership within the Madden College of Business and Economics to foster ethical leadership among students. The Center has since evolved into the home of IgniteEd, the global collaborative hub for Jesuit business schools. In 2025, Savage further honored his family by naming the McGill Terrace and Gateway outside Dablon Hall in memory of his mother, Jackie McGill Savage '52 and her siblings.
"Guided by his faith-filled and purpose-driven life, every decision Joe makes involves a process that honors the Jesuit tradition of discernment. Ten years ago, Joe's initial gift honored his parents' integrity and compassion through the naming of the Savage-McGill Center," said Jim Joseph '83, Ed.D. '23, vice president of Advancement and Innovation and executive dean of the Madden College of Business and Economics. "His two most recent gifts celebrate their individual contributions to Le Moyne and beyond. Whereas the McGill Gateway welcomes all and the McGill Terrace inspires community, the Donald J. Savage Basketball Arena will provide our student-athletes with an environment that matches the next phase of our Division I journey."
Savage's gift joins several other significant philanthropic investments as part of the continued expansion of Le Moyne's athletic complex, including gifts from Tony '87 and Patty Dwyer and Kathy Purcell '66 in support of the Dwyer Center for Health and Wellness. Together, these investments reflect the College's momentum and growth within Division I athletics and reinforce Le Moyne's commitment to wellness, inclusion, and shared purpose for the entire community.
"My time at Le Moyne shaped who I am today," Savage said. "The friendships I formed and the values I learned continue to guide me. This gift reflects my gratitude for the College and my desire to honor my family while helping future Phins thrive."
