ST. PAUL, Minn. -- On Saturday, September 27, just before Concordia's noon kickoff against Augustana, Mr. Phil Fandrei presented Concordia University President Dr. Robert Holst and Athletic Director Tom Rubbelke with a check for five million dollars on behalf of Sea Foam Sales Company for the use of a new on-campus stadium, to be named Sea Foam Stadium.
Rubbelke commented, “We are thrilled that Mr. Fandrei has stepped forward with such a gracious donation.” Rubbelke continued, “Mr. Fandrei is a great supporter of the University and the athletics program. The athletic department is very excited to bring football, soccer and track & field a new home on campus.”
The plans for Sea Foam Stadium were officially unveiled on following the Homecoming Chapel Service prior to the game in the morning at the Graebner Memorial Chapel.
Fandrei officially presented the check prior to kickoff of Concordia University’s homecoming football game against Augustana College.
The total estimated cost of the stadium is $14.5 million. The stadium will include an artificial turf playing surface, a press box with commons area and a hospitality room. Also included are locker rooms, a weight room and an inflatable bubble for year-round usage.
While the opening of Sea Foam Stadium does not have an official date at this stage in the planning, it is not out of the question that football, soccer and track & field will all be able to host events starting next year in 2009.
“We have set up an aggressive timeline to open Sea Foam Stadium for our 2009-10 athletic schedule,” Rubbelke commented on the timeline. “Our goal is to open the facility at the earliest date possible.”
Sea Foam Stadium will have a prime location, sitting on the corner of Concordia Ave. and Hamline Ave. with Interstate 94 running right by the stadium. Initial plans call for a scoreboard that will have it’s back visible to I-94 for the approximately 180,000 motorists passing by on a daily basis.
Concordia University, St. Paul is in its 10th year at the NCAA Division II level and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The athletic department sponsors 15 intercollegiate athletic programs and is the only private, Division II institution in the Twin Cities metro area.
