Nov 10, 2014 12:16 PM EST By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

DePauw University in Indiana has received a $5 million to support significant improvements to the University's athletics fields as part of the implementation of its comprehensive athletics and recreation master plan.

The generous gift from Marshal W. and Amy Reavis will allow for the construction of a new multi-purpose stadium that will become the home for DePauw's men's and women's varsity soccer teams and men's women's lacrosse teams. The stadium will be located along Hanna Street, immediately south of Blackstock Stadium, and will serve as the southern anchor of the University's athletic campus.

"If an institution wishes to compete for the best student-athletes on a nationwide basis, particularly for sports like soccer and lacrosse, it must provide the resources and facilities necessary to support these popular, growing sports," Marshall Reavis,  a 1984 graduate, four-year football letterman, and member of the University's Board of Trustees, said in a statement. "Our gift will help ensure DePauw competes in this manner for the decades ahead."

The new multi-purpose complex will provide a synthetic turf competition field, four varsity locker rooms and stadium seating for 750 fans. Additional funds will be raised for an adjacent synthetic turf field that will be used for practices and training.

"Marshall represents the very best of DePauw," University President Brian Casey said in a statement. "His leadership for this University is invaluable, and his steadfast support for the student experience is unwavering. On behalf of our students, I am deeply grateful for his generosity."

The gift follows an announcement last month that Scott and Kim Welch have committed $5 million to support the construction of a new fitness center in an expanded and renovated Lilly Center.

The athletic facilities master plan, approved by the University's Board of Trustees last month, provides a road map for the University's investments in athletic and recreational facilities in the years ahead. It calls for a series for phased improvements to the athletic fields and the Lilly Center. 

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