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Contributed by: Lance Fleming, ACU Associate Director of Athletics for Media Relations
ABILENE - Abilene Christian University president Dr. Phil Schubert announced Tuesday that the university has surpassed its original fundraising goal of $30 million for two new on-campus stadiums and that the Board of Trustees has given approval for construction to begin on the university's first on-campus football stadium in more than 50 years.
When ACU announced it would build new on-campus football and track and field / soccer stadiums in February 2014, the original fundraising goal for the entire project was $30 million. The university, however, has surpassed that goal and has currently raised $37 million toward the two projects. ACU's new Elmer Gray Stadium for track and field / soccer opened in April 2015.
ACU will officially break ground for its new Wildcat Stadium at a ceremony after 11 a.m. Chapel on Friday, Feb. 19, during Sing Song weekend on campus.
"This is another huge milestone toward our effort to build one of the finest facilities in NCAA Division I FCS football," ACU director of athletics Lee De Leon said. "We appreciate our generous donors, and the way in which they have stepped up over the last few weeks is phenomenal. While we still have more money to raise, we are thankful for how God is blessing this university."
In an email to ACU faculty and staff, Schubert said the total cost of the two projects has risen to $50 million, noting that the increased budget reflects enhancements necessary to ensure the quality of the facilities is consistent with the rest of the campus.
"The Board of Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team agree that moving forward with construction on the long-awaited football stadium is the best course," Schubert said. "Already, we've raised more than our initial goal, and more than one-third of gifts to the football stadium have come within the past five months. We believe it is important to leverage this amazing momentum, as well as wise to avoid additional financing and construction costs, by beginning this project now."
The board has voted to begin construction with $37 million committed and $13 million still needed to fully fund both projects. Schubert also said he is confident in the university's ability to secure additional commitments during construction.
Funds raised for the Vision in Action Initiative so far total $82 million, surpassing the original $75 million goal and making it the third largest campaign, dollar-wise, in ACU's history. Other VIA projects include the Halbert-Walling Research Center, Onstead Science Center, and Engineering and Physics Laboratories at Bennett Gym. Construction is complete or underway on all three science buildings.
"Many of our alumni, faculty, staff and friends have stepped up to make the stadium a reality," Schubert said. "I continue to be amazed and grateful at the level of generosity we've seen, and I'm certain it will only grow as we officially break ground and prepare for our first home football game on Sept. 16, 2017. Wildcat Stadium will be a place beloved for generations, not only by the ACU community but by Abilene and West Texas as well."
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ABILENE - Abilene Christian University president Dr. Phil Schubert announced Tuesday that the university has surpassed its original fundraising goal of $30 million for two new on-campus stadiums and that the Board of Trustees has given approval for construction to begin on the university's first on-campus football stadium in more than 50 years.
When ACU announced it would build new on-campus football and track and field / soccer stadiums in February 2014, the original fundraising goal for the entire project was $30 million. The university, however, has surpassed that goal and has currently raised $37 million toward the two projects. ACU's new Elmer Gray Stadium for track and field / soccer opened in April 2015.
ACU will officially break ground for its new Wildcat Stadium at a ceremony after 11 a.m. Chapel on Friday, Feb. 19, during Sing Song weekend on campus.
"This is another huge milestone toward our effort to build one of the finest facilities in NCAA Division I FCS football," ACU director of athletics Lee De Leon said. "We appreciate our generous donors, and the way in which they have stepped up over the last few weeks is phenomenal. While we still have more money to raise, we are thankful for how God is blessing this university."
In an email to ACU faculty and staff, Schubert said the total cost of the two projects has risen to $50 million, noting that the increased budget reflects enhancements necessary to ensure the quality of the facilities is consistent with the rest of the campus.
"The Board of Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team agree that moving forward with construction on the long-awaited football stadium is the best course," Schubert said. "Already, we've raised more than our initial goal, and more than one-third of gifts to the football stadium have come within the past five months. We believe it is important to leverage this amazing momentum, as well as wise to avoid additional financing and construction costs, by beginning this project now."
The board has voted to begin construction with $37 million committed and $13 million still needed to fully fund both projects. Schubert also said he is confident in the university's ability to secure additional commitments during construction.
Funds raised for the Vision in Action Initiative so far total $82 million, surpassing the original $75 million goal and making it the third largest campaign, dollar-wise, in ACU's history. Other VIA projects include the Halbert-Walling Research Center, Onstead Science Center, and Engineering and Physics Laboratories at Bennett Gym. Construction is complete or underway on all three science buildings.
"Many of our alumni, faculty, staff and friends have stepped up to make the stadium a reality," Schubert said. "I continue to be amazed and grateful at the level of generosity we've seen, and I'm certain it will only grow as we officially break ground and prepare for our first home football game on Sept. 16, 2017. Wildcat Stadium will be a place beloved for generations, not only by the ACU community but by Abilene and West Texas as well."
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