University set to open new football and lacrosse stadium
Photo courtesy of Calvin University
Calvin University is preparing to open its new on-campus football and lacrosse stadium this fall, providing a permanent home for Calvin Football and the university’s men’s and women’s lacrosse programs. The privately funded stadium features a 2,500-seat home grandstand, visitor seating for up to 500, premium and chairback seating, a three-section press box, improved accessibility, and a new gameday gathering area.
The stadium is expected to make its football debut either during Homecoming on Sept. 26 or on Oct. 17 as crews complete final work on the venue. Calvin’s Sept. 12 season opener against St. Norbert College will be played in the soccer stadium. Future enhancements, including permanent concessions, restrooms and additional fan amenities, will be added as philanthropic support allows.
“This represents an exciting new chapter for Calvin University,” said Greg Elzinga, President of Calvin University. “From the beginning, our vision has been to create a home for football and lacrosse that strengthens the student-athlete experience, brings our community together, and creates traditions that will endure for generations. Seeing that vision become reality is a significant milestone for our university.”
Athletic Director Jim Timmer said the vision has always extended well beyond the playing field.
“We wanted to create a place where our campus community wants to spend the day,” Timmer said. “Football Saturdays at Calvin will be about much more than the game itself. They’ll be opportunities for alumni to reconnect, families to gather, students to celebrate, and our community to experience everything that makes Calvin special.”
Fans will notice several new gameday features this season, including expanded tailgating opportunities, a centralized ticket office and gathering spaces designed to create an engaging atmosphere before kickoff.
Former Chief Financial Officer and now Senior Advisor for Special Projects Dirk Pruis said the project reflects years of careful planning and extraordinary generosity.
“This milestone represents years of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and faithful stewardship,” Pruis said. “We’re deeply grateful to the donors whose generosity has made this possible. Their investment is creating opportunities that will benefit Calvin students and our broader community for many years to come.”
The university is very grateful for the generosity of the donors who make this possible, including the lead donors, a Calvin family and longtime supporters of the university, who have chosen to remain anonymous at this time.
Progressive Companies, GDK Construction, project partners and numerous campus departments worked together to bring the project to this point.
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