David R. Thies B’59 knew from the moment he stepped onto Saint Mary’s Winona Campus, it was where he would attend. Little did he know he’d be associated with Saint Mary’s for the next 70 years and that he would forever leave his mark — and his name — on his alma mater.
“I accepted an invitation of some Brother at DeLaSalle High School to make a trip down (to Winona) with some good friends, and I was amazed at both Coach Wiltgen and Coach Max Molock (baseball coach) who really tried to recruit me, and I felt like it was a warm place and the right place for me,” David Thies said. “I just felt a comfort at Saint Mary’s, and I have ever since.”
He excelled in both basketball and baseball at Saint Mary’s in the ’50s, earning a spot in the Cardinal Hall of Fame in both sports for his accomplishments. He admits he never imagined during his days of running up and down the court that one day Saint Mary’s would name the gymnasium in his honor. “I’m very flattered and I think it’s a great honor,” he said. “I’m very very pleased about the arena but more that I can give back to Saint Mary’s for some of the things that were given to me.”
He and his wife Marlys of Plymouth, Minn., recently committed $5.5 million to the university to largely support Cardinal athletics and scholarships. This gift includes a $2.5 million cash contribution and a $3 million estate gift.
The largest portion of the gift ($2.625 million) is designated for a complete remodel of the Winona Campus gymnasium, which will now be called the David R. Thies B’59 Arena. This is the largest gift in the history of athletics. Construction will begin May 5 on the following enhancements:
- 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
- VIP bleacher and floor seating for 100
Another $1 million is unrestricted, and $1.875 million will be directed to two scholarships in honor of two individuals who served Saint Mary’s during David Thies’ time as an undergraduate: Brother I. Basil B. Rothweiler, FSC B’38, former president from 1956-1963; and Ken Wiltgen, former longtime basketball coach.
“Brother Basil and Wiltgen were two of my favorite people for different reasons, but they have stuck with me. Virtually every gift I give to a school goes to them. They were special people to me,” Thies said. “Coach Wiltgen was a good friend. I started about every basketball game during the four years I was there. I had only played one year of high school basketball. I failed to make the team when I was a freshman. But between my sophomore and junior years, I grew from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-4½.”
It was the love of baseball that Thies pursued after graduation, signing on with minor league baseball and pitching for five years, including a short stint in the Major League playing for the Kansas City A’s. He retired in 1964, plagued by arm pain.
After earning his master’s degree and working as a stockbroker, he co-founded Thies & Talle Enterprises, which began by financing and developing apartment properties. The business continues to be a leading property management company in five Midwestern States.
Thies’ relationship with Saint Mary’s continued long after graduation. He’s generously supported several initiatives, and served as a trustee for 20 years, leading several capital campaigns. As a businessman and a fundraiser, he knows the importance of giving back. “The most important thing is people have to learn to become a giver. It stays with you the rest of your life,” he said. “I just feel it’s just been a miracle for me, and I’m just happy to be able to do it. Once a person becomes a giver, they begin to understand you get more from the giving than you give.”
“David Thies is more than an accomplished athlete — he is a true friend and an inspiration to all who know him,” said the Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary’s University. “His achievements on the field and court as a student-athlete were remarkable, and his success beyond graduation set a standard of excellence that every student-athlete aspires to. But what truly sets Dave apart is his leadership, business acumen, unwavering generosity, and, most importantly, his devotion to his Catholic faith and the Christian Brothers who helped shape him. His and Marlys’ commitment to Saint Mary’s has left a legacy that will be felt for generations. Every time we step into the David R. Thies B’59 Arena, we will be reminded not only of his extraordinary contributions but also of the faith, friendship, and dedication that make him such a special part of the Saint Mary’s community. We are forever grateful.”
Brian Sisson, Saint Mary’s athletic director, echoes this sentiment. “This generous gift will mean so much to our student-athletes as it will change the face of one of our major competitive arenas, but it will also mean a great deal to all students and guests of this university,” he said. “Our gymnasium is a focal point for this university, bringing people together in celebration, as well as competition. And, as we always refer to our athletes as student-athletes, the fact that they have paired the athletics gift with a gift for scholarships is particularly meaningful. On behalf of university athletics, I’d just like to say how thankful we are to David and Marlys Thies and their family.”
