Franklin College Receives $1 Million Gift Supporting Elwood Fitness Center Renovation
Franklin College has received a $1 million gift commitment from Trustee Jim Napolitan, Ph.D. (HD ’12), and his wife, Sandy (Mock) ’60, Ph.D. The gift will designate the renovated and restored lower level of the Elwood Fitness Center as the Drs. James and Sandra Napolitan Athletic Complex.
“We were struck by the fact that only 17 years after James Naismith hung up a peach basket and invented the game of basketball, Franklin built this incredible facility—the first of its kind in Indiana,” noted Jim. “Just twelve years later, the Wonder Five brought national fame to its floor. That kind of legacy deserves to be preserved and celebrated, which is why we felt inspired to give."
The Napolitans are long-time, generous Frankin College supporters. They are, in part, inspired by a legacy begun by Sandy’s grandfather, James Franklin Mock, an 1895 graduate of the College. Several other generations of Sandy’s family share ties to Franklin College. They include her father, Eugene W. Mock ’26 and her brother, Roger F. Mock ’67. Seventeen family members have attended the College, and four relatives/extended family members have served on the board of trustees.
“The leadership and generous support provided by Jim and Sandy over several decades have had a profound and lasting impact on our students and the institution,” said Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather. “This most recent gift is yet another example of the Napolitans leading with vision and purpose. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to ensuring a bright future for Franklin College and our students.”
Jim was elected to the Franklin College Board of Trustees in 1997. He is a graduate of Harvard University and holds master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 1980, he made the career change from clinical psychologist to commodities trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where he continues to work today.
Sandy majored in psychology at Franklin College and was a cum laude graduate. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in social work from Tulane University and a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago. For most of her life, she has been dedicated to social work, most recently serving as a department supervisor at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She formerly served on the Franklin College Alumni Council and helped re-energize an alumni club for Chicago-area Grizzlies. She is an active Tri Delta alumna, who has enjoyed helping host mini-reunions for her Franklin College sorority sisters.
The Napolitans have demonstrated extraordinary generosity and commitment to Franklin College through a wide range of philanthropic initiatives. Their leadership giving includes the donation of the Napolitan Alumni House and a major contribution to the construction of the Napolitan Student Center. They have also supported the advancement of the arts by funding multiple rooms in the Johnson Center for Fine Arts. In addition, their investments have helped bring to life the Von Boll Welcome Center, the renovation of Richardson Chapel, and the development of Branigin Athletic Field.
Understanding the importance of long-term sustainability, Jim and Sandy established maintenance endowments to preserve the Napolitan Alumni House and the Franklin College Science Center for future generations. Their passion for student success is further evident through the creation of the Napolitan-Mock Endowed Fund in Psychology and two additional endowed scholarships—one benefiting education majors and the other supporting students studying mathematics. Beyond their financial contributions, the couple have also graciously opened their home to host numerous alumni gatherings, strengthening the bonds within the Franklin College community.
The Elwood Fitness Center was originally constructed in the early 1900s and expanded in the 1920s to accommodate the large crowds following the Franklin Wonder Five basketball team which was crowned national champion in 1923. In 2020, a state historical marker, only the fourth at the time in Johnson County, was placed outside the facility commemorating the team. The 19,425 square-foot facility is currently used for limited practice activities. The lower level of the building once housed an indoor pool and the entire physical education and athletic departments but is now only used for storage.
The planned renovation and restoration will preserve and restore the exterior of the historic building while retaining its architectural integrity. At the same time, the interior space will transform into a modern, functional space for students to pursue fitness, recreational and athletic activities. The gymnasium will be restored primarily for recreational use. The Napolitan Athletic Complex will provide office, locker room and support service areas for the football, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse teams that compete across the street in Faught Stadium.