photo by: Carter Gaskins

University of Kansas booster David Booth accepts a Jayhawk statue during a renaming ceremony for David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.

As of halftime of Saturday’s season opener, the home of University of Kansas football has a new name: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The university made it official with a ceremony at the 50-yard line, as new athletic director Jeff Long and Chancellor Douglas Girod presented Booth with a miniature Jayhawk statue shortly after the KU band spelled out his name in formation.

It was close to a year ago that Booth announced his intent to donate $50 million — the largest gift in the history of Kansas Athletics — toward facility improvements for KU’s long-struggling football program.

“With this exceptional gift, David Booth again displayed his extraordinary commitment to Kansas Athletics and the University of Kansas,” Long said in a release. “We appreciate not only David’s recognition of the important role athletics plays on our campus, but also his willingness to participate in a vital, leadership role to help take Kansas Athletics to the next level.”

photo by: Carter Gaskins

University of Kansas booster David Booth, center, accepts a Jayhawk statue during a renaming ceremony for David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. At left is KU Chancellor Douglas Girod, and at right is Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer.

The first phase of KU’s football-centric project, a new indoor practice facility, is under construction immediately west of the stadium that now bears Booth’s name. KU is also planning to eventually renovate the stadium itself.

In total, the football-related improvements are expected to cost $300 million. KU officials have previously said they expect to fund the entire project with private donations like Booth’s.

photo by: Carter Gaskins

Booth is a longtime supporter of KU sports programs and has helped fund other big projects in the past.

More than a decade ago, Booth honored his parents by funding the construction of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics in Allen Fieldhouse. The space includes the KU Athletics Hall of Fame. More recently, Booth helped KU secure James Naismith’s original rules of basketball, which are now on display in the DeBruce Center near Allen Fieldhouse.