Randolph School’s Leo Center for Excellence, which opened in March 2026, is alive with both student and community activity ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.

Made possible by lead donors Fay and Karl Leo, the Leo Center is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility on Randolph’s campus. It combines a second competition gymnasium with a top-tier weight room, locker rooms and alumni conference center. In addition to its world-class athletic training facilities, the Leo Center created space for an athletic screening room, plus a new Innovation Hub and Technology Lab for STEM programs in the original gym.

“It’s an amazing addition to the school. My hat’s off to the Board of Trustees and Head of School, Adam Dubé, for conceiving of this addition,” said Karl Leo, founder and attorney at Huntsville’s Leo Law Firm, LLC. “Fay and I were so happy to be the lead donors to make the Leo Center a reality.”

Elizabeth Crampsey, Director of Marketing & Communications at Randolph School, praised the Leos for drawing community attention to the school’s need.

“Karl and Fay brought passion to this project before we even broke ground,” Crampsey said. “They did so much to help the school get our message out there.”

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The facility connects to Randolph’s athletic center, facing away from Garth Rd. and toward the football stadium and other athletic competition fields. When school starts this fall, the Center will be the focal point of Friday night football games and other campus activities. During summer break, the Leo Center hosts athletic training, tournaments, summer programs and more.

Reflecting a deep commitment to excellence

Established in 1959, Randolph School is an independent, private college preparation school that offers a well-rounded educational experience for its students. According to Karl Leo, the school takes a “mind-body-spirit approach,” developing scholarship and performance in a nurturing environment.

Randolph’s mission statement inspired Fay Leo to choose the name Center for Excellence. Part of that statement says, “Through a commitment to excellence in academics, the arts and athletics, the school’s program and its faculty demand diligence and discipline while encouraging creativity and discovery.”

Karl Leo said when the Upper School was initially built, Randolph didn’t have sufficient funding to build an auxiliary gym. Space for the facility was reserved on campus, but the school’s vision changed substantially by the time they were ready to build.

“This is a reflection on a much broader goal than originally conceived,” Fay Leo said. “When [the school] approached us about participating, they set out a broader vision that became very intriguing to us, and that’s what gave rise to the campaign.”

For Randolph, the Leo Center isn’t just for multiplying student opportunities; it’s also meant to bring the community together. Its spacious conference center hosts meetings for school organizations like the Randolph Community Network and the Board of Trustees and is available to the community for conferences, workshops and events.

“This is the Swiss Army knife of school expansions,” said Karl Leo. “It brings so many different elements together in a space that facilitates academic [and athletic] progress, community involvement and alumni involvement.

“Before the Leo Center, the constraints of the school facilities repressed programmatic initiatives. Now, we’re seeing uses for the facility that weren’t previously identified. It’s just incredible.”

Building a family and community legacy

Randolph School has played a significant role in the Leo family’s life over a quarter of a century, with three of their four children attending (two are alumni). Fay has been an active volunteer throughout this time, most recently serving as head of the Upper School Randolph Community Network. Their youngest son, Landon, is a rising senior, football quarterback and varsity basketball player.

“He’s very much enjoying the facility,” said Karl Leo. “We’re so happy he’s able to use it as a student.”

For Fay and Karl Leo, leading the charge on the Leo Center has been a way to make a powerful impact on Randolph, its students, the families that support it and the community at large. It’s also a part of the legacy they want to leave for their family.

“Part of the calling for people who have blessings–and we’ve been blessed–is to do something that is impactful and lives beyond our lifespan,” Karl Leo said. “It becomes a legacy for your family, and this is part of that family legacy we’re trying to create. In the process, we’re creating this enduring relationship with Randolph School, which has done so much for our children.”

The Leo Center is phase one of an ongoing campus expansion, with a larger vision unfolding.

“We’ve been able to help meet a need, and I view Randolph as a snowball going downhill,” said Karl Leo. “It’s gathering momentum, and we’re just, we’re so happy to be a part of that.”

Learn more about The Leo Center for Excellence at https://www.randolphschool.net/about/building-community/.