WINONA, Minn. – A 1959 Saint Mary’s athlete and graduate, the professional baseball player Dave Thies, and his wife Marlys have donated $5.5 million to the university. The gift is the largest in Saint Mary’s University athletics history. Much of the money is designated for upgrading the campus gym. The gift also includes $1.8 million for scholarships and $1 million for general funding. The arena will be christened in the Thies name. The universuty said that cnstruction, beginnjng this spring, will include:
> New bleachers.
> A refurbished floor.
> A concessions and ticket booth in the Hall of Fame room.
> An air handler and chiller for air conditioning
> Saint Mary’s branding.
> Premium bleacher and floor seating for 100.
In college Thies olayed basketball and baseball. He signed with the Kanas City Athletics orgnization in 1959 as a pitcher. He spent six seasons with the organization. His bestvear was 1961 with a a15-7 record for the Hawaii Islanders of the Pacific Coast League. The seasin inclded two shut-outs. After retiring from baseball, he co-founded Thies & Talle Enterprises, which financied and developed apartment properties in five Midwest states.
Thies baseball card. In baseball prime 6-foot-4 205 pounds.
Marlys and David Thies. World travelers these days.