Despite lacking approval from the Board of Trustees, the possibility of a Saint Louis University arena earned a $1 million pledge last month from alumnus and trustee emeritus Michael F. Shanahan, Sr.

Shanahan, along with other benefactors of the University, were gathered last month to discuss the feasibility of an on-campus arena and a research facility. The next day, Shanahan made his pledge.

“He believes strongly that SLU needs this arena,” said Don Whelan, vice president of Development and University Relations. Whelan said that Shanahan wanted to show his support for the idea and to encourage others to support it.

While the University is not actively fund-raising for the arena, it has been discussed with potential donors as a part of the feasibility study, which could be completed as early as December. The Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the matter once the study is completed.

The feasibility study, when complete, will analyze a variety of factors, including use, location, programming, ownership rights, marketing aspects, fundraising and other areas. The study will conclude with a recommendation to the Board whether or not the University can and should build an arena.

In the end, much of the decision to build an arena comes down to the issue of cost, explained Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communication Bob Woodruff.

Major donations are not uncommon from Shanahan, who recently provided the capstone gift for the Cook School of Business. That capstone gift was enough to end the fund-raising goals of the project and earned he and his wife the naming rights to the atrium, as the Michael and Mary Ann Shanahan Atrium.

“He is a loyal and generous benefactor,” Whelan said.

Shanahan graduated from SLU’s school of business in 1961 and currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Engineered Support Systems, Inc., which engineers and manufactures military support equipment and electronics. Shanahan and his wife earned honorary degrees at last year’s commencement ceremonies.

He has also served as the University Board of Trustees chairman for two years, at the time of Saint Louis University Hospital’s sale to Tenet in 1998.