The dream of an improved football stadium is now a reality for Ball State University. President Jo Ann Gora announced on Saturday that the Drive to Distinction campaign for stadium improvement had surpassed its goal of $12 million.
A total of $13.6 million has given the university the proper funds to install synthetic grass on the field, a new press box with luxury boxes, a new training center, enhanced concession stands and restrooms and new seating. More than 700 benefactors helped support the campaign.
"Anytime you go into a campaign, you have a lot of ideas and thoughts and aspirations," said departing Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham. "It all came into place. We've been thinking about it for a long time."
"I think it's great. The support that the stadium campaign received was outstanding, and to do it in a little bit less than a year - actually 349 days - just shows that people here really care about the school and will support it."
The stadium will also be renamed John B. and June M. Scheumann Stadium. John Scheumann, a former defensive tackle, graduated in 1971 with a degree in accounting. He and his wife donated $4 million to the campaign.
"We talked about naming opportunities from the very beginning," said Cunningham. "Now, whose name is something that may change over time, but we did talk about naming opportunities from the start."
The Scheumanns were honored at halftime of the Homecoming football game along with Paul and Patricia Kozel and John and Janice Fisher. The Kozel's donated $1.25 to the campaign and will have the new press box named after them. The Fishers donated $510,000 and will have the new training center named after them.
Football coach Brady Hoke is excited as well about the new improvements.
"As a former player, from that end of it, it's about time for some progress," said Hoke. "When you go to Toledo and you go to some places we have to recruit against, it'll help."
Construction on the projects is set to begin in 2006.
The upgraded facility will feature new seating in the north end zone, which will create a 25,400-seat horseshoe stadium. The university would like to add a video screen to the final plans.
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