HONOLULU -- The University of Hawaii's Athletics Department on Thursday received a record $5 million gift that will be used to help improve the conditions of facilities at the Manoa campus.

The condition of UH athletics facilities has been in the spotlight in recent months after former football head coach June Jones mentioned the problems as part of his decision to leave the school.

The money is planned to go to renovating Cooke Field where conditions have deteriorated. The Clarence T. Ching Foundation stepped in.

"This is just a wonderful, wonderful gift for athletics, for the community. So, it'll make a huge difference," UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said.

The gift and move to improve athletics facilities is being welcomed warmly by the department and supporters.

"It's a message to our students and to, like in my situation the football program, that people care about them," Warriors head football coach Greg McMackin said.

"You know, I'm very excited. This is going to do wonders for recruiting, and it's good for morale around campus," former UH wide receiver Craig Stutzmann said.

Cooke Field already has a new name the Clarence Ching Field.

The money comes from the late local developer and avid UH sports fan who created the foundation that provided the gift.

"It's terrific, it's terrific, he's a terrific man," Ching's brother, Bernard, said.

Ching's gift will benefit everyone who uses the field, including UH's ROTC, band, intramural teams and someday, possibly high school teams.

Officials hope Thursday's gift is just the beginning.

"We're going to take this money and create a really nice facility, and I believe that creates a rising tide where other people will step forward to help," UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan said.

UH still needs more than $3 million to pay for the projected $10 million project.