LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell celebrated the dedication of the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex with a special event outside of the formerly named Costello Athletic Center on Wednesday afternoon. The UMass Board of Trustees voted to rename the building back in April in honor of John Kennedy '70, 16 (H), the largest benefactor in the history of UMass Lowell Athletics.
 
"John Kennedy is UMass Lowell Athletics," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts. "It has been an honor to get to know him and be able to call him a friend. Whenever I have a question or a need, he is always there to answer my call. It's been transformational because with that support, you can do anything. He's been incredibly helpful and supportive of all of our programs and all of our student-athletes, and I think this is just a new beginning."
 
The special event featured a large audience of dignitaries, student-athletes, coaches and staff. The speaking program included remarks from UMass President Marty Meehan, Chancellor Julie Chen, Athletic Director Lynn Coutts, UMass Lowell Vice Chancellor for Advancement John Feudo, ice hockey head coach Norm Bazin, student-athlete Nhyira Nkansah and John Kennedy himself.
 
"I look at my education as the reason why I've had any success in my life," commented Kennedy, a 1970 graduate of one of UMass Lowell's predecessor institutions, Lowell Technological Institute.
 
Following the speeches, the curtain was drawn to officially unveil the new name above the main entrance of the building.
 
"I am greatly honored," added Kennedy. "I was on campus when this building first opened, so I have a lot of love for this place and now I hope my contributions can help modernize it."
 
Kennedy made an unprecedented $4 million gift to athletics earlier this year, which is set to help fund the enhancement of athletic facilities and support the needs of River Hawk student-athletes, ensuring that they can continue to compete at the highest level.
 
"I think the building we are sitting in has made a big difference in the life of the student-athletes," said Kennedy. "I think if we can make this building function for them in a better way, provide a better fan experience and more support for the programs, that's big plus and very important in the long run."
 
The former Costello Athletic Center opened in January of 1967, named after Thomas F. Costello, the president of the Lowell Sun Publishing Company. It was then renovated in 2020 to enhance the student-athlete experience.
 
"My vision for the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex is grand and I have to somewhat be patient in terms of how we do it, but it is going to touch every student-athlete," explained Coutts. "In the end, it's a cost, so I'll be counting a lot on our alums, on donors, to help us with that vision."
 
Kennedy had a highly successful career in the tech sector, retiring as the president and chief financial officer of Nova Analytics and Nova Technologies in 2007. He credits the education he received with changing the course of his life, and in return, he has a long and outstanding record of philanthropy and volunteerism at UMass Lowell.
 
Kennedy, along with his brother, is also the namesake of the university's William J. and John F. Kennedy College of Sciences. Additionally, he has endowed multiple scholarships at UMass Lowell, underwritten the university's Nanotechnology Research and Development Center in his brother's memory, funded the Kennedy Family Basketball Court at UMass Lowell and established the Kennedy Cup Challenge between UMass Lowell and UMass Amherst. He serves on multiple boards within the UMass Lowell campus community, including the Athletics Advisory Board, the Chancellor's Advisory Council, and the Kennedy College Advisory Board.