View video highlights of the announcement.

“We are grateful to our football parents who have championed these improvements and provided some of the research needed to move the program ahead,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “Our multi-sport program can benefit in many ways from a synthetic surface and lights. We have received helpful advice regarding this project from several alumni as well as our friends in the Indianapolis Colts organization who understand the usefulness of these facilities. This is but one of several improvements we hope to make to bring our outdoor facilities to a standard of excellence in the next several years.”

The Athletic Complex, consisting of football and baseball fields, all-weather running track and practice fields, was constructed in 1977. In 1985, the football field was named Macholtz Stadium to honor the late Dr. James Macholtz, beloved coach of AU Track and Field as well as the Anderson University football program. Macholtz Stadium holds 4,300 fans and is surrounded by a competition, eight-lane running track.

“While the renovations at Macholtz Stadium directly benefit our football and track and field programs, the entire campus community benefits from these improvements,” said Marci Taylor, interim director of Athletics. “To compete for the top notch student-athlete in the Great Lakes region it is imperative to have modern, state of the art facilities. The campus community and the Anderson area benefit in that this venue has the potential for multiple uses throughout the calendar year.”

Anderson University will be the third school within the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) to provide artificial turf. Currently, there are nine colleges and universities within the HCAC (8 schools providing football programs). Approximately 17 high schools in the Indianapolis area have artificial turf or in process of installing artificial turf in their stadiums.

“The improvements to the stadium give Anderson University a great opportunity to compete in the HCAC,” said Jeff Judge, head football coach at Anderson University. “The enhancements to the stadium allow us to recruit outstanding students from the region and the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Along with the Kardatzke Wellness Center, these improvements put AU in the top category of Division III football.”

The overall cost for the improvements to Macholtz Stadium is approximately $800,000 and will be entirely funded through new gift resources. Advantages of synthetic turf versus grass include availability, usability, and maintenance cost. Research indicates that an artificial turf field will pay for itself in savings within the product’s expected life of 10-12 years. Outdoor all-weather lights will allow the university to expand operational hours and usage of Macholtz Stadium for many of the 16 intercollegiate athletics teams at AU as well as the institution’s expanding academic and intramural program. The current athletic filed at Macholtz stadium was used a maximum of 68 hours during the 2007-08 academic year.

“We are grateful to friends of the university for their commitment to a project that will truly benefit the entire campus,” said Robert L. Coffman, vice president for Advancement at Anderson University. “It also enhances our ability to attract and host events that will benefit our community.”

Anderson University has a history of welcoming and hosting special athletic and music camps. The institution anticipates that these activities can be increased without compromising institutional needs with the availability of an all-weather synthetic field (e.g. bands camps, soccer camps, football camps, etc.). The enhancements offer expanded economic development opportunities for many different athletic events and community activities. In addition, ongoing support can be provided to special community activities such as Special Olympics of Madison County.

The installation of artificial turf and outdoor lights at Macholtz Stadium is the first phase of a larger strategy and vision for the northeast quadrant of the university campus. The field enhancements are a part of the $110 million “Dreams. Discovery. Direction.” Campaign launched on October 6, 2006. The campaign, set to conclude on May 31, 2010, is the university’s largest fundraising effort and has raised $84 million to date toward the goal. Major components of the campaign include $51 million for capital projects, $34 million for endowment and $25 for operational support. For more information about the “Dreams. Discovery. Direction.” campaign visit the web site.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.