Donors step up to support Blugold Athletics
Wisconsin’s Eau Claire (blugolds.com) — We honor the long-standing financial supporters of women’s athletics as the 2020 fall season ends and as we wrap up celebrating 50 years of Blugold women competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
Alumni, Blugold families, staff, and community members have supported Blugold Athletics tremendously during this time. Over $26,000 has been raised for women’s athletics due to their kindness, with over $5,000 coming in during UW-Eau Claire’s annual Giving Day. Blugolds from all over have stepped up for the athletic department, and $13,365 was raised on Giving Day.
Even though a lot of money has already been raised, there is still a chance to make a difference because many programs still accept matching donations, doubling the impact of any donation. Visit the Foundation website for the celebration to learn how you can participate.
Additionally, a sum of money was recently raised for the Simpson Field project, with PhasePhase I finishing this summer.
The project has all its funding from gifts; no state money will be used for any part. A more extensive improvement plan depending on additional fundraising includes the $2.2 million Phase I. The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved the Master Athletics and Recreation Campus Plan in February 2019, which includes these upgrades.
Dan Schumacher, director of athletics, described a project like this as a lengthy, intricate process. “This has been in the works for five to six years, and it’s all possible because of our wonderful supporters and their generous donations. We are incredibly fortunate to have a shared vision with our donors to complete this first PhasePhase and ensure that many teams and campus organizations can utilize it for various purposes this fall.
Dick and Mary Johnson, Pete Eckerline, Tom Perrault, Tom Day, Steve and Julie Henseler, and Jack Kondrasuk significantly contributed to Phase I’s a success.
I have wonderful memories of my time at UW-Eau Claire and the track program, which played a significant role in my development, said Eckerline. “I’ve always wanted to contribute meaningfully, so when the opportunity to assist Simpson Field arose, it felt right. I am extremely fortunate and proud to be able to support a location that held a lot of significance for me in the past.
The area, located behind the McPhee Center, is used by intramural and club sports teams in addition to athletic programs. The upgrade enables more groups to use the field, including the Blugold Marching Band and also expands access to the facility for the women’s soccer team. Field turf has been added to replace the natural grass. The Blugold women trained and played games at Bollinger Field before this fall.
Sean Yengo, head coach of the women’s soccer team, said, “Moving on campus has been amazing because it allows us to meet all our needs in one location, not to mention having over 4,000 fans only a block away from our beautiful turf field.
New field event areas and a new track were added to benefit the men’s and women’s track and field teams. In particular, caged areas for discus and hammer toss were added, along with a new shot put a pad and javelin runway. Despite being unable to host any meets for the past 18 years due to deficiencies in the Simpson Field facility, the Blugold men’s track and field teams have won three national championships in the last five years. Donor Jack Kondrasuk was interested in seeing this part of the project completed.
Track and field and football were both very important to Kondrasuk. “Because it allowed me to participate in many activities, the track was very important. At one point, the team consisted of just three members, including myself. We still placed in the middle of the pack at the meets even though one of the twin brothers competed in the running events and the other in the field. I’d like to see more individuals participate in track and field events.
According to Chip Schneider, head coach of the men’s and women’s track and field teams, “the completion of Phase I of the Simpson Field project has finally allowed the track and field teams to have a throws venue worthy of the great athletes who throw for our university.” “With all throws in one area and multiple shot, discus, and hammer circles, we now have what I think is one of the best throws areas around. With the recent warm late-fall weather, having lights on the track has also allowed us to practice outside later in the evening, which has been a huge plus.
In addition, all three programs will use the field now that men’s soccer, women’s lacrosse, and baseball have been added, with both soccer teams and women’s lacrosse hosting their home games.
Aubri Neubert, head women’s lacrosse coach, said, “Simpson Field has been a gift for our brand-new women’s lacrosse team. “It has sparked more commitments and brought more recruits to campus than anything else. The stunning new Simpson Field offers the ideal conditions for students to compete and practice, which is exactly what they desire. It has attracted student-athletes from all over the nation who are prepared to join the Blugolds for life.
In April, Simpson Field’s turf was installed, and during the summer, lights were added. Field maintenance costs are reduced by $60,000 when field turf is used instead of natural grass.
The improvements have also benefited the Blugold football team, giving them a better practice space and enabling them to continue holding all their practices on campus.
According to head coach Wesley Beschorner, the greatest asset to our football program is Simpson Field. “We can develop our players in this area almost all year long. Instead of moving practices to different locations to practice on turf or at a facility with lights, our team gets great work done at one consistent venue.
Football was also very important to Kondrasuk, along with the track team. “When I was on the team, it didn’t matter about your upbringing or religious beliefs; it was about how you played. We were a team, and we would defend each other. It gave me a lot of insight into what it meant to work as a team, which is crucial now in our society.
A second phase might install spectator seating and a press box depending on additional philanthropy. A video board and additional seating might be included in the third stage.
We are equally enthusiastic about Phase II of the project, said Schneider. We won’t be able to host outdoor gatherings without seating, which hasn’t happened on our campus in more than a decade.
Phase II would include a small press box and seating for 1,575 people. UWEC would be able to host track events as a result. To increase the capacity to more than 5,000 seats, a third and final phase would add 4,000 seats. A structure with a bigger press box would also be added to host collegiate football games.
According to Beschorner, college football should be played on campuses near students and faculty. “The energy it will inspire will be incredible! WIAC football can and will benefit greatly from having a campus stadium.
A further $2–3 million must be raised for the project before work can start in the subsequent phases.
Schumacher states, “the next two phases are important strategic initiatives that support enrollment attraction.” “These improvements will enable us to host a variety of sporting events. Additionally, it will pave the way for hosting other regional high school and youth events that invite prospective students to visit our lovely campus. This facility will undoubtedly improve our current summer camps for kids and teenagers, and we already know that having children on campus encourages more of them to enroll as Blugolds.
Contact Dan Schumacher at schumadj@uwec.edu or (715) 836–5858 for details on the project’s upcoming phases and how to get involved.
Credit goes for Donors step up to support Blugold Athletics
Explore More:
Eckerline regains top Minnesota spot in Barron’s annual ranking of financial advisers
My First Concert featuring Dave Lee
1981–82 Men’s Track and Field Letterwinners
Who was the random father/son combo on the bench and in the huddle?
President’s Award Past Recipients
Donors step up to support Blugold Athletics
Top Transactions: Former Denny Hecker estate sells for $4.5M (access required)
