FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, 271-2833 or Daniel.Finney@drake.edu

HOST OF DRAKE FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS TO BREAK GROUND ON DRAKE STADIUM REVITALIZATION PROJECT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 30

The first shovels of dirt that will remake Drake Stadium into one of the crown jewels of the track and field world once again will be overturned in a groundbreaking ceremony set for Saturday, April 30.

The festivities will begin immediately following the traditional Drake Relays opening ceremonies at 11:55 a.m. The groundbreaking will begin a $12.6 million renovation of the Stadium, which has been a premier track and field landmark since opening in 1926.

The stadium upgrades will include new seating for fans, a wider track that meets international competition standards, an outside safety lane for athletes, a state-of-the-art artificial grass field by FieldTurf that will be large enough to accommodate Drake’s NCAA football and men’s and women’s soccer teams and a new scoreboard.

“The Drake Stadium Revitalization Project is a wonderful example of what we can accomplish when we work together in pursuit of a common goal—a collaboration among Drake University, our team of leadership donors, alumni and friends, and the Central Iowa community,” said Drake President David Maxwell. “A renovated Drake Stadium—a world-class facility with almost a century of proud tradition—will be a huge asset for the University, for Des Moines and for the region, and we are very, very grateful to those who have supported us in making this happen.”

Those participating in the ceremony include generous contributors and enthusiastic supporters Daniel and Patricia Jorndt, James and Patricia Cownie, William Knapp, William Knapp II, Jack Taylor, Don Lamberti, Gerald Neugent, Dwayne McAninch, Maddie Levitt and Michael Gartner.

Also joining the celebration will be representatives from the many corporate and community groups whose donations and passion helped make this project possible, including The Principal Financial Group, AmerUs Group, Prairie Meadows, the Des Moines City Council, the Windsor Heights City Council, the Polk County Board of Supervisors, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., FBL Financial Group, the Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

And representing the true spirit of the Relays will be two of the finest competitors to ever grace the Stadium’s track, Drake track coach Natasha Kaiser-Brown and Suzy Favor Hamilton. Drake mascot Spike the Bulldog also will cheer on this momentous occasion.

MEDIA ADVISORY

Members of the media who wish to cover the groundbreaking event but are not otherwise scheduled to cover the Relays should contact Daniel Finney with Drake Marketing and Communications to obtain credentials for the event by no later than 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28. Requests need to include the name of the person covering the event and the media outlet they will represent. He can be reached at (515) 271-2833 or on his mobile, (515) 371-9453 or via e-mail at Daniel.Finney@drake.edu.

Those members of the media covering the groundbreaking but not races should meet Finney at the corner of Forest Avenue and 28th Street by 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. Finney will escort media into the Stadium by no later than 11:55 a.m.

It is important that members of the media meet Finney at the assigned time because there will be only one escorted trip into the Stadium for non-sports writing media. If you do not enter with the group, you will not be granted access to the event.

Following the groundbreaking event and any necessary interviews, Finney will escort all non-sports writing media out of the Stadium. If you have questions, please contact the office of Marketing and Communications at (515) 271-2833.

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