Courtesy of Texas Wesleyan University
A rendering of Texas Wesleyan University's proposed football stadium
Texas Wesleyan University is moving the sticks on its plans to build a new, $16.5-million football stadium.
The university announced that trustee Karen Cramer has pledged a $5 million gift for the project and will hence become the stadium's namesake. This will move the Rams out of Farrington Field, where the team currently plays, and into their own facility, located a block north of East Rosedale Street between Binkley Street and Nashville Avenue.
“Karen’s generosity exemplifies the kind of philanthropy that allows institutions like Texas Wesleyan University to continue to provide the environment of excellence that we strive for,” Texas Wesleyan board chairman Glenn Lewis said in a statement. “Mere words are not sufficient to express our gratitude.”
Texas Wesleyan plans to build the stadium in three phases: a practice field and lighting; NCAA-certified track; then bleachers, press box, field house, and concessions.
Plans for the facility have been in the works since 2017, when the university brought back football after a 76-year hiatus. The Rams, part of the Sooner Athletic Conference, just wrapped up its fifth season with a 7-3 overall record.
The stadium plays into a couple of the Texas Wesleyan's larger campaigns — the Engage 2025 Strategic Plan (which includes the building of new facilities, increased community involvement, and curriculum development among other initiatives) and the Rosedale Renaissance (which aims to revitalize the area surrounding the university). Other projects part of the Rosedale Renaissance include renovated storefronts in the 3000 and 3100 blocks, the Nick and Lou Martin University Center, and The Rosedale — a new, $10.5 million private student-housing development scheduled to open in fall 2022 at East Rosedale and Collard Street.
“The new stadium will positively affect all aspects of our Engage 2025 Strategic Plan by enhancing student, alumni, and community engagement, and spurring further economic development along Rosedale Street by bringing more people to our neighborhood,” Texas Wesleyan president Frederick G. Slabach said in a statement. “It also will generate a revenue stream to sustain our athletic programs through usage fees from outside organizations. We are excited about this development for our Polytechnic Heights community and incredibly thankful for Karen and her outstanding support.”
Cramer has been a member of the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees since 2016, coming from a family of alumni starting with her grandmother, Quilla Viola Umstead Shawver, who graduated in 1917 when the school was known as Texas Woman’s College.
“Texas Wesleyan is blessed to have Karen Cramer serving on our board and as an honorary chair for our 'Engage. Inspire. Invest.' Campaign,” Jerri Schooley, vice president for advancement said in a statement. “Her calm commitment and keen intellect have served us well over the past five years, some of the most productive philanthropic years in the university’s history. It is champions like Karen who help make the university’s impact on students’ lives possible.”
