Progress continues on the Spratt Memorial Stadium renovation project. Kurt McGuffin, director of Athletics, said the project is on schedule and the spring Commencement ceremony will be held there this month.
He noted that Gold Coat members will be very happy with the new Stadium Club, which is about triple the size of the original one. The project also adds suites, which is a great enhancement for fans on game day.
The renovation project was funded by revenue bonds and several donors to the Centennial Capital Campaign.
The stadium building will be completed before the video scoreboard is finished, but work continues on that project, as well. The scoreboard is a little more than 65 feet wide and 38 feet tall and is believed to be the largest video display in NCAA Division II.
Donors to the scoreboard include a $1.1 million pledge from Steve Craig, and pledges from Randy and Mary Herzog, Al and Gracie Landes, Nodaway Valley Bank, O’Malley Beverage and Sunshine Electronic Display.
Work is also underway for the Victory Plaza, part of the stadium renovation and a fund-raiser for the Centennial Capital Campaign. That is scheduled for completion by the time the stadium opens.
The plaza will contain more than 230 engraved bricks that were purchased by supporters. It is located between the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex and the stadium building. Planning is continuing on a possible sculpture of a tree on the plaza.