A groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 22 formally marked the beginning of construction for the next phase in the renovation of Missouri Western State University’s Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium – a $2.6 million video scoreboard that will rise seven stories above the playing surface. The LED video display, at approximately 2,500 square feet, will be the largest in NCAA Division II.
Steve Craig, founder and CEO of Craig Realty Group and benefactor of the Craig School of Business, will contribute $1.1 million toward the project, the largest individual gift in the history of Missouri Western athletics. With this gift, Craig has now donated $8.9 million to the university. In recognition of his support, the playing surface at Spratt Stadium was named Craig Field earlier this year.
“We are in the last few days of our university’s centennial celebration, with the theme of ‘100 Years of Transforming Lives,’” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “I can’t think of a better way of concluding our centennial year than thanking an individual, Steve Craig, who has been such an important part of that transformational process.”
Craig said he wanted to provide Griffon coaches with a “dynamic asset” to help recruit student-athletes, enhance the overall fan experience for football and soccer games and strengthen the relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also wanted to nurture some much-needed community pride.
“Not only can northwest Missouri residents be proud of these fantastic new facilities, but the players who compete here will also be very happy,” Craig said. When plans for the scoreboard were announced in August, he said, “I spoke about some of those great civic projects of the past, and I’m hopeful that this new scoreboard along with these other improvements will be looked upon as some of the best as well.”
Student athletes spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony about their excitement.
Taylor Gant, women’s soccer, speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“We’ve always been proud to play for Missouri Western, but now we’re so excited to play at home and see other teams come out and see our facilities,” said Taylor Gant, women’s soccer. “These enhancements will improve the experience for both the players and the audience.”
“These additions make Missouri Western’s facilities one of the tops in the nation by far,” said Michael Hill, former Griffon running back and NFL player. “I was really stoked to see all this construction going on, and I’m excited to see the scoreboard go up. The environment on game day will be superb.”
The video board will stand at the south end of the stadium, near the Baker Family Fitness Center. At a little more than 65 feet wide and 38 feet tall, or approximately 2,500 square feet, the video display will be the largest in NCAA Division II. It will be larger by area than many Division I schools, including the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas.
The brick structure built to house the scoreboard will be approximately 72 feet tall, with storage rooms inside, static signs and displays, and a rooftop fireworks launchpad. Construction is expected to be completed in time for the Spring Commencement Ceremony in May 2016.
In addition to Craig, other private donors have pledged through the Missouri Western State University Foundation’s Centennial Capital Campaign to complete the scoreboard. Major donors include Al and Gracie Landes, Randy and Mary Herzog, Sunshine Electronic Display, O’Malley Beverage and Nodaway Valley Bank. Other donors have provided leadership support for the Spratt Memorial Stadium renovation project.
E.L. Crawford Construction is the general contractor for the scoreboard project and the Spratt Stadium renovation, which includes corporate suites, additional chair-back seating for fans, elevator and other accessibility improvements, additional restrooms, expanded concessions area, new ticket office, a team store to sell Griffon merchandise, new press box and fencing.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.