Austin Sports Complex
About the project
The project has received a combined $1.2 million lead gift from Brad and Katharine Stoffer and their Boedecker Foundation. The gift, announced at a fundraising event on July 9, is the first major donation toward the $6.5 million project.
Our plans for the Austin Sports Complex demonstrate the university’s commitment to athletic and academic excellence, stewardship of our natural resources, health and wellness, and a deeper connection with our surrounding communities.
- Fields also will serve as classrooms for athletic trainers and other student athletes.
- The project minimizes grading, and the complex will feature natural and synthetic grass fields that maximize recycled products.
- Community partnerships will broaden team-building and leadership opportunities for young people who participate in school and community sports. A partnership with Newberg High School will allow George Fox to use its football facility and give NHS access to the complex’s soccer fields.
- The surrounding fitness trail, multi-use building, and the fields will be available for the entire community to use and enjoy.
- Soccer Game Field
- An NCAA regulation-sized soccer field, measuring 225 feet by 360 feet, will be made of synthetic turf and feature bleacher seating to accommodate 750 attendees. Included will be a press box, dugouts, restrooms and a storage facility.
- Stoffer Family Stadium
- A synthetic turf field, ideal for football, soccer and lacrosse, will feature seating for 1,000 fans, a storage space area and a press box.
- Multi-Use Field Building
- This 15,000-square-foot structure will be used for locker rooms, equipment storage and concession sales.
- Grass Practice Field
- This area will be regulation-sized in width and half the length of a standard soccer field. The field may be subdivided into four 20- by 30-yard spaces for use by youth soccer teams.
- Soccer Fields
- Two soccer fields, each measuring 70 yards by 120 yards, will be incorporated into the complex as funding becomes available. The fields may be subdivided to host numerous youth soccer games simultaneously.
Phase I
- Soccer Game Field
- Stoffer Family Stadium
- Multi-Use Field Building
Phase II
- Grass Practice Field
- Soccer Fields
Mouse over the fields for more information.
Other features
Grading
Fields will be built at different elevations, both for aesthetic and cost reasons. Construction crews will use the natural contours of the land, reducing time and cost because of less grading. Bleachers will be built into the natural hills of land.
Lighting
All venues will include lighting to accommodate night games and practices. This will also allow the facilities to host major tournaments.
Parking
In addition to onsite parking spaces, agreements have been made with Newberg Christian Church, Northside Community Church and Joan Austin Elementary School to accommodate each other’s parking needs.
Walking/Jogging Path
A soft-surface path will circle the perimeter of the complex for running, walking and jogging.
Achieving the vision
Phase I calls for the construction of a synthetic turf soccer field, a multi-use synthetic turf field made possible by generous support from the Stoffer family, and a multi-use field building. The university’s new strategic plan includes goals to increase enrollment to 4,000 and to broaden diversity in the student body. These facilities will enable George Fox to launch football and women’s lacrosse teams, estimated to draw 100 additional students and help balance our gender ratio.
Invest in the future
This first stage of a broader plan to improve all of the university’s athletic facilities will cost $6.5 million. We are launching a community fundraising effort to achieve this goal. We are committed to raising funds to improve our baseball and softball complexes as well.
By helping us create more venues for leadership training and character development, you are investing not only in the university, but in the lives of student-athletes and youth from around the region. For more information, please call President Robin Baker at 503-554-2102 or the Office of Development at 503-554-2112.
Athletics at George Fox
George Fox offers 15 varsity sports – eight for women, seven for men – and competes in the Northwest Conference at the NCAA Division III level. The university is one of only two schools in the conference to win multiple national team championships, claiming a women’s basketball title in 2009 and a College World Series crown in 2004.
In all, the university has earned district or conference titles in 10 different sports during the last decade, and more than 300 George Fox athletes have earned All-American and All-American Scholar-Athlete honors. The university’s coaching staff has combined for more than 1,000 collegiate wins.
Winning programs are accompanied by a proper perspective on the role of collegiate sports. The life lessons of athletics – including teamwork, managing emotions, cooperation and being gracious in victory and defeat – are stressed in a Christian higher education environment.