Usibelli Coal Mine announces $75,000 gift to support Nanook athletes

November 14, 2018

Usibelli Coal Mine announced a gift of $75,000 to create the UCM Nanook Athlete Support Fund for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics Department on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce business luncheon.

This gift will help UAF provide a prominent and high-functioning space for more than 120 student-athletes across all sports. Lisa Herbert, vice president of public relations for Usibelli Coal Mine, announced the gift following UAF Chancellor Daniel White’s annual “State of the University” presentation to the business community. Herbert said, “We are excited to support UAF in their efforts to provide Nanook athletes with the facilities, training and support they need to compete with the top athletic programs in the conference and country.”

Since June of this year, UAF has been remodeling 2,000 square feet of dedicated space in the Patty Center for student-athletes. "This donation will help us complete the space by adding branded squat racks, benches, universal machines, training systems and more," said Sterling Steward, Jr., director of athletics for the Alaska Nanooks. The remodel should be completed by mid-December.

"All of our student-athletes are appreciated members of the Nanook family," said Steward. Athlete-specific training areas and weight rooms play a critical role in preparing student-athletes for competition throughout the year. They can also be one of the many factors that potential student-athletes look at when making a decision as to where to attend school. "This new energizing space will greatly enhance the experience of our student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff and will assure potential recruits of UAF's commitment to excellence and success," said Steward.

Usibelli Coal Mine is celebrating 75 years this year and is Alaska’s longest operating mine. UCM has been a steady supporter and long-time partner to UAF. Through its corporate social responsibility program, the Usibelli Foundation and personal gifts from members of the Usibelli family, more than $4.8 million has been donated to the University through scholarships, faculty awards, capital projects, event sponsorships and athletics.

“We are grateful for Usibelli Coal Mine’s extraordinary support for the University and Nanook athletics,” said UAF Chancellor White. “This gift demonstrates how academics, athletics and the business community can work together to impact the health, success and pride of our students, our alumni and the community of Fairbanks.”

“We are pleased to be in a position to provide support to the UAF student-athletes who represent us so proudly on the ice, court or field, in the classroom and out in the world. We hope this gift inspires others who love Nanook sports teams to support them in whatever way they can,” Herbert said.

About Usibelli Coal Mine
Founded in 1943 by Emil Usibelli, Usibelli Coal Mine is located near the town of Healy and is 115 miles south of Fairbanks and 250 miles north of Anchorage adjacent to the Parks Highway and Alaska Railroad. UCM currently has a work force of approximately 100 employees, and operates year-round. Mine production has grown from 10,000 tons in 1943 to approximately 1-million tons of coal per year. Currently the only operational coal mine in Alaska, UCM is supported by the most modern mining equipment and state-of-the-art engineering. Today, UCM supplies coal to five Interior Alaska power plants and over the years has exported coal to Chile, South Korea, Japan and several other Pacific Rim destinations. For more information, please visit www.usibelli.com.

For more information, contact Lisa Herbert, vice president of public relations at 907-347-8006 (cell) or lisa@usibelli.com.

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