Ellie's Way
It is often debated which has a larger impact on a person’s upbringing and predisposition: nature or nurture? Is it genes and your family’s legacy that molds you? Or is it the values and tenets upon which you’re raised? For Ellie Ziegler, the answer is simple: it was both.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Ziegler (nee Glazer) was the granddaughter of Ellis I. Levitt who founded the first Boys & Girls Club in Iowa. Her mother, Maddie Levitt served as the national chair for two separate campaigns that raised millions in support of the local Drake University. Giving back was in her genes, and even with such a high expectation to give, Ellie managed to shatter all expectations as one of the most prolific philanthropists the Valley has seen.
In tandem with her husband, Michael, Ziegler’s philanthropic profile is incredibly difficult to overstate. She gave to causes close to her heart, from the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art to the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, the Fiesta Bowl, the Arizona Science Center, Barrows Neurological Center and far beyond. Even more, Ellie assumed numerous positions where she used her influence to take that impact even further. To herald her remarkable achievements, she was named Valley Leadership’s “Woman of the Year” in 2013.
Ziegler was a graduate of Arizona State University and made some of her largest, most impactful contributions to her alma mater. As a student, she was heavily involved in campus life, serving as Vice President of Student Government. She established the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication and was inducted into the ASU College of Public Programs Hall of Fame, largely because of her ongoing commitment to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In addition, she was on the ASU Foundation Board from 1994-98 and won numerous awards for her leadership and involvement around campus.
This passion for the Maroon & Gold paired with her and her husband Michael’s lifelong love of sport created a beautiful intersection with Sun Devil Men’s Basketball. Huge supporters of perennial blue-blood Duke’s Men’s Basketball program, they have been all-in in support of Bobby Hurley throughout his tenure.
“It would be impossible for me to sum up how much Ellie Ziegler has meant to this program and to me personally with words,” Arizona State Men’s Basketball Coach Bobby Hurley said. “She was truly one of the most selfless individuals I have had the pleasure to know throughout my career and I’m glad she is being celebrated and recognized for her contributions in life.”
Their support to the program has been crucial to its recent growth and has provided invaluable resources to its dedicated, hard-working student-athletes.
Ellie passed away on December 21, 2021, with her loving husband Michael by her side. Since that day, he has worked to honor her memory and the countless impacts she made across the Valley and truly all over the world. She was recently honored as the first woman inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Bowl Division, due in part to her being the first person to chair three national College Football bowl games in one season.
“Ellie has always been passionate about college sports, particularly ASU basketball! Her love for the program intensified greatly after Bobby Hurley, who she has known since his playing days in the early ‘90’s at Duke, became their Head Coach,” Michael said. “She enjoyed attending home games with Bobby’s wife, Leslie. Ellie truly had a “way” about her—a very “special way.” It is very fitting that “Ellie Ziegler Way” surrounds Desert Financial Arena at ASU on the east, west and north sides. This brings me a level of happiness that is PRICELESS.”
In celebration of Ellie’s impact on Sun Devil Men’s Basketball and beyond, Ellie Ziegler Way was created. The road surrounding Desert Financial Arena has been aptly named after the woman who gave so much to allow the program to flourish. To enter the arena, every fan will have to cross over Ellie Ziegler Way, a fitting metaphor for someone who spent her entire life as a conduit for helping connect people to what made them happy and helping those in need, reach those same goals.