Cornell announces second major renovation of athletics facilities
This spring a $345,000 renovation project will begin to completely revamp a Cornell College soccer practice field, transforming it into Cornell’s new competition field.
This is the second announcement of a large donation to the athletics facilities at Cornell College in the past year. Construction is also currently underway to renovate Ash Park Stadium with a grand opening set to take place during the next football season.
“Developing a new competition soccer field will provide our student-athletes with a first-tier soccer facility,” said Director of Athletics Keith Hackett. “Facilities are a very important part of sustaining a competitive program and recruiting quality students.”
The soccer project includes a new bathroom facility and six-foot fencing around the new competition field. The renovation will make the field meet current NCAA standards as crews complete a significant amount of site work including grading, drainage improvements, and irrigation. It will be ready for use for the 2019 fall soccer season.
This announcement comes because of a lead donation from Cornell College Trustee Jan Thomas ’80 and family. Jan’s son, Eric Doernhoefer ’13, played on the Cornell men’s soccer team.
“We were interested in helping build a new soccer field because soccer was a really important part of our son Eric’s experience at Cornell,” Thomas said. “I have been pleased to hear about the progress of the soccer team. With the increasing success, it’s the right time to update the field. I hope it will help the soccer program grow and help Cornell attract great student-athletes, bringing visibility to the college the way other sports have.”
The construction site, located above and directly north of the current competition field, will be off-limits during the 2018-19 school year. The men’s and women’s soccer teams will continue playing on the current competition field.
Life Trustee Lee Swanson ’60 and his wife, honorary alumna Jacqui Swanson, as well as Trustee Scott Simmer ’73 and his wife, Peg Schoen, also contributed to the project. Cornell is grateful for all of the support it receives from its donors.
About Cornell College
Cornell College, a selective liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, offers a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum, immersing students in a single academic subject during each 18-day block. With a student body from 42 states and 17 foreign countries, and renowned faculty, speakers, and entertainers, Cornell offers the world from its hilltop campus.
