D.D. and Don Oberhelman Make Sizeable Gift to Madden Center
9/17/2025 4:02:00 PM | Football, General
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman, together with his wife D.D., have made a quarter million dollar commitment toward the completion of the John Madden Football Center.
Don has spent the last 15 years serving Cal Poly Athletics, while D.D. has built her career in the consumer-packaged goods industry, celebrating 28 years with PepsiCo Foods.
"When Don and I moved to the Central Coast in 2011, we quickly fell in love with the area and with Cal Poly," said D.D. Oberhelman. "Cal Poly Athletics has been a big part of our lives ever since, and we're proud to continue supporting the university, especially its student-athletes and athletic programs, for many years to come.
The gift comes as Don Oberhelman prepares to retire from his role, pending the appointment of a new Director of Athletics by the university president.
"It's my hope that our gift will inspire others in the Cal Poly community to give back in whatever way they can," Don Oberhelman said. "The John Madden Football Center represents the most ambitious and transformative project Cal Poly Athletics has undertaken in a generation. To realize its full potential as a best-in-class facility, we need the support of alumni, fans, and friends."
The John Madden Football Center will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for Cal Poly Football, offering enhanced training, meeting, and support spaces designed to elevate the experience of Mustang student-athletes for decades to come.
Don has spent the last 15 years serving Cal Poly Athletics, while D.D. has built her career in the consumer-packaged goods industry, celebrating 28 years with PepsiCo Foods.
"When Don and I moved to the Central Coast in 2011, we quickly fell in love with the area and with Cal Poly," said D.D. Oberhelman. "Cal Poly Athletics has been a big part of our lives ever since, and we're proud to continue supporting the university, especially its student-athletes and athletic programs, for many years to come.
The gift comes as Don Oberhelman prepares to retire from his role, pending the appointment of a new Director of Athletics by the university president.
"It's my hope that our gift will inspire others in the Cal Poly community to give back in whatever way they can," Don Oberhelman said. "The John Madden Football Center represents the most ambitious and transformative project Cal Poly Athletics has undertaken in a generation. To realize its full potential as a best-in-class facility, we need the support of alumni, fans, and friends."
The John Madden Football Center will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for Cal Poly Football, offering enhanced training, meeting, and support spaces designed to elevate the experience of Mustang student-athletes for decades to come.
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