OREM — The baseball stadium at Utah Valley State College has been re-named the Brent Brown Ballpark after the auto dealer promised to shell out $1 million to secure the naming rights.
Phoenix-area philanthropists Ira and Mary Lou Fulton also will match Brent and Kim Brown's donation with $1 million of their own fortune.
The Browns have secured naming rights through June 2017. They are the third donors to promise a major donation to obtain the naming rights.
In 1999, Utah County businessman Gary Brinton pledged $750,000 for naming rights.
But that deal unravelled in 2001 because, according to the school, Brinton and college administrators could not agree on the size, scope and cost of the project.
In 2003, Craig Pickering and Heath Johnston, who were developing Parkway Crossing apartment and retail complex in Orem, pledged $1.7 million for naming rights.
In 2004, Johnston bowed out of the Parkway Crossing project and in November 2004,, when Parkway Crossing's first payment was due, money never came.
A college spokesman at the time said Parkway Crossing was having cash flow problems because of low vacancy.
The college, publicly at least, maintained that the agreement with Parkway Crossing was legally binding and was not seeking other donors.
It was Kim Brown's idea to approach UVSC about naming rights to the stadium, which is situated on the east side of I-15 at the University Parkway exit — the same exit car shoppers must take to get to Brent Brown's dealership, 1995 N. University Parkway.
The Browns said they think their name on about four places in the stadium will help with advertising — though they don't want to appear arrogant or prideful, Brent Brown said.
"To be honest, I feel really kind of awkward about that part," he said.
The stadium is home to UVSC sports teams and Orem Owlz minor league baseball.
E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com