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HOUSTON (AP) — Businessman Tilman Fertitta (fuhr-TEE'-tuh) has given $20 million to the University of Houston in what school officials say is the largest donation for Cougar sports.
The school on Thursday announced the personal donation by Fertitta, who chairs the University of Houston System Board of Regents.
Fertitta is chairman and president of Landry's Inc., a restaurant and casino chain operating in Texas, Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana. He attended the UH Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
A UH statement says the funds will help transform the Hofheinz Pavilion into a state-of-the-art basketball arena renamed the Fertitta Center. The $60 million renovation will also preserve the legacy of the Hofheinz family, honoring former Harris County Judge Roy Hofheinz.
The updated arena should be ready for the 2018-2019 season.
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