New Orleans athletics received a gift of $1 million from local businessman John Georges and former Privateer basketball star Gabe Corchiani, the largest donation to the Privateer Athletic Foundation in history – and one of the largest gifts ever given to the institution.

Georges said the university was integral in the rebuilding of the city of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

“I believe a strong athletics program enhances a university’s academics,” he said. To recognize the donation, the school will name its basketball court in honor of Gabe Corchiani Sr., a former Miami basketball coach. Corchiani Jr. said he owed much of his success in life to his father.

Chancellor Tim Ryan said the donation will help restore the athletics program to full Division I status as well as assisting the school’s basketball program. The Privateers basketball team will return to its home arena in 2008-09 after a three-year hiatus caused by Katrina.