RAIDER STADIUM ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
NEW STADIUM UPGRADES TO BENEFIT ALL SPORTS
Photo by Bob Palermini
The Southern Oregon University Raider athletic program has announced a $1.5 million fundraising campaign to enhance its facilities, including the replacement of a state-of-the-art turf field as well as pro grade LED lights, new visitor’s bleachers with visitor’s press box, and the possible addition of locker room space for soccer and visiting teams.
This project will benefit many of SOU’s NAIA athletics teams—football, men’s and women’s track and field, cross country, soccer—all of whom will use the facility for practice and competition. It will also continue to serve as a community-wide recreation and wellness resource for students, faculty, and staff; club sports and other intramural teams.
“Our outdoor athletic programs have achieved great conference and national level success,” said Athletic Director Matt Sayre “A new turf field will further elevate performance, conditioning, and competitiveness, and it will attract a talented pool of future recruits to the university.”
$250,000 Commitment Kick-Starts Fundraising
The fundraising effort kicked off with a generous commitment of $250,000 from Don Jones and the Spartan Group, which will be used as a matching challenge to catalyze momentum for the campaign and encourage others to donate. Replacing the turf is the priority.
The university’s goal is to raise $1.5 million for stadium upgrades. Success in this effort will allow the university to achieve its ambitious timeline to complete the facility in time for the Fall 2026 athletic season.
“It is hard to overstate the importance of this project to our university. We are committed to creating an exceptional athletic environment that attracts top talent and enhances the overall experience for our fans and supporters.”
—Rick Bailey, President
Photo by Bob Palermini
Key Features and Benefits
Artificial Turf
SOU last replaced the turf in Raider Stadium in 2013. The turf replaced a natural grass field at that time, which has greatly improved access, playability and aesthetics as well as reducing water usage and maintenance costs. The decade-old turf is at the end of its viability.
Energy-efficient Lighting
With a growing number of programs and student-athletes within SOU’s intercollegiate and club programs, practices on SOU’s field currently extend late into the evening. The current light system, installed in the 1980s, is not energy efficient nor adequate. Modern LED fixtures–which can be set, dimmed, and controlled remotely–will provide ample illumination for practices and playoff games, irrespective of weather and time of day.
Bleachers and Press Box
Safe, comfortable seating is a key ingredient to creating an exceptional SOU experience for supporters, parents and grandparents, as well as fans from opposing teams. The visitor’s bleachers, used for all home outdoor sporting events and the university’s June commencement ceremony, is a relic from the 1980s. The revamped bleachers will also include a visitor’s press-box and video platform, creating a larger space for media and game-day visiting coach’s area.
Use the form below to make an online contribution supporting the Raider Stadium Enhancement Project. To give by mail, please send a check with “Raider Stadium” on the notes line to: SOU Foundation, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520.
Thank you for your support!
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Your secure online gift is processed by the Southern Oregon University Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is the preferred channel for all private contributions that benefit students and faculty at Southern Oregon University.
SOU Office of Development – Plunkett Center, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520 | Phone: 541.552.6127 | Email: soufoundation@sou.edu