Storrs, Conn. – The daughters of Harry A. Gampel, a longtime benefactor of the University of Connecticut, have taken legal action against the university’s Board of Trustees and the State of Connecticut. In a complaint filed on Nov. 11, Debra Gampel Fischman, Margo Gampel Absher, and Linda Gampel Abrahamson allege that the school violated a 1989 donation agreement that promised the basketball arena would remain named “Harry A. Gampel Pavilion” in perpetuity.
The dispute centers on UConn’s Oct. 21 announcement that the venue would be renamed the “M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion” as part of an expanded partnership with the regional bank. The family says the new branding reduces the Gampel name to a mere footnote on parking signage, contrary to the original donor intent.
Background of the naming agreement
According to the complaint, Harry A. Gampel contributed $1 million to the university in 1989 under a written agreement that the building’s exterior signage would forever display his name. The Gampel family contends that the university never sought their consent before entering the naming‑rights arrangement with M&T Bank.
Family’s legal claims
The plaintiffs assert that UConn has not only ignored their consent but also questioned whether the original agreement was meant to last indefinitely. They claim they spent more than a month attempting to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution, but the university’s actions left them with no recourse.
In the lawsuit, the family seeks a court order requiring UConn to restore prominent exterior signage that reads “Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.” They are not requesting monetary damages, emphasizing instead the importance of honoring the donor’s legacy and preserving the family’s contribution to the university’s athletic heritage.
University’s position
UConn’s legal team has not yet responded publicly to the filing. The university’s Board of Trustees, however, has indicated that the partnership with M&T Bank is intended to bring additional resources to the athletic program and broader campus initiatives. The administration argues that the new naming arrangement does not diminish the Gampel name, as it remains part of the full title.
Why this matters to Connecticut families
For many Connecticut families, naming agreements with local institutions are a way to ensure that charitable contributions are remembered for generations. The Gampel case underscores the need for clear, mutually respected contracts when universities seek corporate partnerships that could affect longstanding donor recognitions.
Local leaders and community members have expressed support for the family’s effort to protect donor intent, noting that honoring such agreements reinforces trust between private benefactors and public institutions.
Next steps
The lawsuit will proceed in state court, where a judge will determine whether the university’s naming‑rights deal violates the original agreement. Both parties have indicated they are prepared to present evidence of the 1989 contract and the terms of the recent partnership with M&T Bank.
Regardless of the outcome, the case highlights the delicate balance universities must strike between securing new funding sources and respecting the wishes of those who helped build their facilities.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
