$45 million raised for DSU Athletics facilities
February 28, 2022
A total of $45 million has been raised for new Dakota State athletics facilities with $30 million raised in the last eight months.
The first phase of the athletic facilities required more than $35 million to move forward. This phase will see the development of the Athletics Events Center, which will include an upgraded football stadium, relocated track, esports arena, soccer field, indoor gathering space, Athletics Hall of Fame, locker, weight, and training rooms, office and meeting space, hospitality and VIP areas, media suites, a biomechanics lab, Institute on Human Movement and Aging, classrooms, and restrooms.
“The Trojans Unite athletics facilities will be transformative for Dakota State University and the Madison community,” said Jon Schemmel, CEO of the DSU Foundation. “They will significantly enhance the overall student-experience at DSU while drastically improving our hospitality for our friends, fans, alumni, and community leaders for years to come.”
The upgraded facilities will provide increased student enrollment, balanced distribution of academic majors, increased revenue-generating opportunities for DSU and the greater Madison area, business opportunities, and academic growth for additional programs.
Additional priorities to be addressed include an arena for basketball and volleyball, an indoor track and training facility, an outdoor plaza, and baseball and softball fields.
The development of this complex will enable DSU to compete consistently for conference titles and national championships.
“The field house was built in 1957, the football stadium has a grass surface instead of artificial turf, and we do not have an indoor practice facility, even though seven months of the year require teams to train indoors,” said Jeff Dittman, DSU Athletics Director. “New facilities will allow us to add additional sports.”
These athletics facilities are an investment in the Madison community. It will benefit Madison businesses, organizations, and high school athletics as well.
“This will forever change the game on the courts and fields, in the classroom, and across the region,” said President José-Marie Griffiths. “Unite with us as we build DSU Champions.”
The fundraising process will continue for this project with a final goal of $100 million to complete all priorities.