Couple’s gift supports enhanced spaces for USask Engineering and Huskies

The Duttons’ recent gift will support both the Engineering Design Hub and the Huskie Clubhouse Expansion Project at Griffiths Stadium—two projects which are in the initial stages with fundraising ongoing. 

Huskie fans may remember Dutton as an integral member of the 1990 Huskie football Vanier Cup championship team. In that same year, he was also named Most Outstanding Lineman in Canada West, but it was the culmination of his experience as a student-athlete and his journey through academics—first in chemistry and then as a chemical engineer—that taught him valuable lessons he would carry forward through his career. 

“I learned early on that triaging was important. As a student-athlete also pursuing an engineering degree, there was a lot of demand and time pressures, but it forced me to sift through my priorities and focus on what was important,” said Dutton. 

Dutton’s career of more than 30 years has taken him across the country where he has worked in the food, oil and gas, and power generation industries. From building grain elevators in Watson, Sask., to serving in executive roles, he credits much of his success to the power of teamwork. 

“High level sports really give you an understanding of teamwork: How each role has its own importance, how to collectively come together to work towards common goals and knowing that when you have a role, it’s important to fulfil it,” he said. 

Nerissa Dutton also attended USask and is proud that her and Rob’s children have followed their path—Allyson, a recent Edwards School of Business graduate who is now working in human resources, and Jack, a fourth-year agronomy student who also was a linebacker for the 2023 USask Huskie football team. 

“I’ve always been a supporter of USask,” said Nerissa. “The football program was a central part of our life and USask has given our family so many opportunities, so it was important to give back.” 

A large portion of the Duttons’ visionary donation will go toward renovating the Hardy Lab at the College of Engineering to transform the space into the Engineering Design Hub. Once complete, the Design Hub will be a dynamic, collaborative space that empowers student innovation and hands-on learning. 

In honour of the gift, a space in the Engineering Design Hub will be named the R. Dutton Student Team Garage. The garage bay will provide dedicated spaces for teams who work on large-scale projects like the Quarter-Scale Tractor team, the University of Saskatchewan Space Design Team, and the Huskie Formula Racing team.

The Duttons’ donation will also support the Huskie Clubhouse Expansion Project to provide state-of-the-art training, wellness, and team facilities to support student-athlete success. 

For Ryker Frank, a member of the Huskies football team and a fourth-year engineering student, it’s clear how the Duttons’ gift will elevate the student experience on and off the field. 

“Both engineering and football have allowed me to pursue my passions and it’s the generosity of donors like Rob and Nerissa that help make that possible,” said Frank. “Knowing we have donors in our corner rooting for us and giving us the tools that we need to succeed as students and athletes, inspires us to keep working hard in both academics and athletics.” 

“University football has become a year-round sport with really no off-season,” said Rob Dutton, noting that there is more focus on training, nutrition, tutoring and an increase in the number of players compared to when he was part of the team. “Having great facilities is also a huge part of attracting and retaining good talent,” he said. “I would also love to see it as a place where alumni can gather to support the team.” 

Along with providing financial support, he currently serves as a cabinet member for the Be What the World Needs campaign, offering strategic guidance, advocacy and ambassadorship as the university looks to wrap up the largest fundraising campaign in the history of USask and the province, this June. 

“This campaign is important,” said Dutton. “I think it highlights the breadth to which the University of Saskatchewan has had impact around the world and that’s why we chose to support it— to help build upon the university’s incredible legacy.”