On Oct. 7, during the Pacific University football game against conference rival Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), Pacific honored Board of Trustee (BOT) member Kim, and his wife Barb, Ledbetter for their generous donation that allowed Pacific to replace the turf field in Hanson Stadium.
With the lifespan of artificial turf only lasting so long, it was time for the university to make the upgrade and with the donation from the Ledbetters, Pacific was able to make this happen. Being major donors to the field, as well as to the athletic programs at Pacific in general, the university will name the turf field after them.
“We are very grateful to them for all the help and support they have given over the years,” Athletic Director Ken Schumann said. “Particularly, this project is one that is going to benefit a lot of our student athletes.”
The Ledbetters have been longtime supporters of the university, especially for athletics. They were both inducted into the President’s Circle, which gives recognition to the university’s most committed donors. The university honored the Ledbetter’s not only with the naming of the turf field, but also with a V.I.P tent for their family and friends, trustees and more, during the game.
Schumann and Pacific President Lesley Hallick gave a presentation on the field before the game to honor the Ledbetter’s and gave them the opportunity to do the coin flip before the start of the game. The naming of the field will not be the first time the Lincoln Park complex has done so at their facilities.
In 2014, the stadium was named, “Hanson Stadium,” in honor of Rich and Joy Hanson’s donation to the university, which included the roof over the grandstand. In 2015, many donations from former graduates and the Phillips and Stanich families led to the installation of the video scoreboard, which gives viewers a better in game experience.
The Boxers defeated PLU with a final score of 24-20, bringing their conference record to 1-1 on the year.
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