Stadium-Track Project celebrates official ground-breaking

Nearly 80 student-athletes, Mountaineer fans and stakeholders celebrated the official ground-breaking of the Stadium-Track Project on May 5.

With gold-painted shovels in-hand, EOU President Tom Insko and Athletic Director Anji Weissenfluh joined board chair David Nelson, superintendent of La Grande schools George Mendoza, student-athletes and members of the Mountaineer Athletic Association to lift ceremonial scoops of soil out of the natural grass field.

“It’s time for our facilities to mirror our success,” Weissenfluh said.

Eastern Oregon University, with the EOU Foundation and La Grande School District, gathered community support to replace the natural grass field in Community Stadium with synthetic turf that will stand up to increased use and improve athletic performance.

In addition, the university’s 30-year-old track will be improved with a new running surface and field event facilities. Energy-efficient lighting and increased accessibility in Community Stadium are also included.

“These upgrades are game-changing for EOU athletics and the community as a whole,” said Tim Seydel, vice president for University Advancement. “The new track and turf promise improved performance on the field, increased attendance in the stands and more opportunities for engagement with the entire region.”

The EOU Foundation’s Building Champions campaign continues to raise funds in support of the updates. Details are available at eou.edu/stadium-track.

: Monty kept the golden shovels ready to go

: EOU President Tom Insko spoke to the crowd

: About 80 alumni, student-athletes, stakeholders and staff attended the event

: Superintendent of La Grande School District George Mendoza spoke at the event. Local high schools will also have access to the updated facilites and field.

: David Nelson, chair of EOU’s Board of Trustees, also attended the event.

: Ben Welch coaches four teams that will benefit from the re-surfaced track and updated field areas.

: Construction began in mid-April and will be completed in time for fall sports to use the new turf

: Student-athletes from the EOU football team attended the event

: Athletics Director Anji Weissenfluh spoke to the crowd at the event.

: The Stadium-Track Project is funded by the EOU Foundation’s “Building Champions” campaign. Learn more at eou.edu/stadium-track

: Golden shovels in-hand, a collaborative team lifted ceremonial scoops of dirt from the field.

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