Athletic Building

NEW ATHLETIC FACILITIES

Work on two buildings near the football and baseball fields is nearing completion at the John Strahl Athletic Complex. Those buildings, named in honor of two late GU presidents—W. Richard Stephens and Robert “Ish” Smith—will house locker rooms, meeting rooms, restrooms, and a baseball museum. Additional buildings include a press box, a concession facility, and new bleachers facing the football field and track.

The new building honors the legacy of the late Robert “Ish” Smith, former GU president and baseball coach, and GU President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens, who was instrumental in starting the Panther Football program in 1987.

The vision for the building includes:

• Additional stadium seating
• Rentable event space
• The Robert “Ish” Smith Museum showcasing baseball memorabilia from Smith’s collection from his time serving with U.S.A. and World baseball organizations

The W. Richard Stephens Fieldhouse includes much-needed restroom facilities and locker rooms for multiple athletic teams.

Construction began in June 2023, and the project was completed in fall 2024.

2024 Athletic Dedications

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Greenville University baseball field to celebrate the new turf field made possible by Ritchie and Lisa Ware. Participants included, from left, Ashley Alm, Lynn Carlson ’93, Ritchie '91 and Lisa (Krober '91) Ware, Dave '66 and Phyllis (Miller '66) Altopp, Suzanne (Allison '00) Davis, Jana (Tidball ’74) and Dennis ’75 Spencer, Leslie (Tidball '84) Brissenden, Rick Stephens '77, Kelli (Stephens '86) Page, and Evan Abla.

Greenville University President Suzanne (Allison '00) Davis and Dennis ’75 and Jana (Tidball ’74) Spencer are shown during the dedication ceremony for the Jay & Shay Way (in honor of Jay and Shay Burgess).

Lisa (Krober '91) and Ritchie '91 Ware are shown during the dedication ceremony for the new turf field at the Greenville University baseball field.

Greenville University President Suzanne (Allison '00) Davis spoke to the crowd assembled at the dedication ceremony for several new facilities at the John Strahl Athletic Complex.

Construction Updates

Smith Building Interior
A large gathering room in the Robert “Ish” Smith building is nearing completion. It features three overhead doors that open toward the football field and track.

Stadium Entrance
Two small buildings – one a concession stand and the other restrooms – back up to the press box and form an entrance to the football field and track from the south parking lots.

Smith Building View
This window shows a unique feature of the Robert “Ish” Smith building - its position overlooking the baseball field. A concrete pad to the building's east will offer outdoor seating.

Baseball Field
Much of the playing surface on the baseball field was down by early August. All that remained when this picture was taken on Aug. 10 was finishing the final details.

Overall Project View
This view, as seen from the football field, shows the Robert “Ish” Smith Museum (left), the bleachers and press box (center), and the Richard W. Stephens Fieldhouse (right).

Press Box Siding Installation
Workers this week were installing the siding on the four-story press box, which is located behind the new bleachers.

The view from the football field shows an overview of the entire project area. The new bleachers are flanked by two buildings honoring former Greenville University presidents, W. Richard Stephens (right) and Robert “Ish” Smith (left).  

This photograph shows the structures that fans will see as they enter the new area on the south side of the football field and track. The buildings here will include concession stands and restrooms.

Much of the exterior work on the Smith building (left) and the Stephens Fieldhouse (right) is almost done. The press box (center) will be one floor taller than shown.

New bleachers seating approximately 500 people have been constructed overlooking the football field and track.

This view shows the main entrance on the south side of the football field and track, with the concession stands and restrooms on either side of the entrance awning.

The press box will be situated just behind the bleachers. This photo shows the structure at three floors tall. One additional floor will be added to accommodate film crews.

With the exterior of the buildings nearing completion, the focus now shifts to the interior. This view shows the inside of the Robert “Ish” Smith building.

Until late January, the roof on the Robert 'Ish' Smith building had not been installed. The roof is now on, and interior work can begin.

The press box and concessions area are beginning to take shape in this photo. The W. Richard Stephens building is shown in the background.

Work on the steel frame has begun on the buildings at Greenville University's athletic complex. These pictures, taken in early November, show the progress on the two buildings being constructed there.

The Robert "Ish" Smith Museum building, shot in November, has begun to take shape at the athletic complex.

November 2023: Workers deliver piping and other building materials.

Site work continues at the Strahl Athletic Complex as two new buildings take shape there.  These pictures, taken in mid-August, show the footings, plumbing and other early phases of the project that will eventually produce team locker rooms, public restrooms, and meeting rooms in the area between the Greenville University football and baseball fields.

Site work began in June at the John Strahl Athletic Complex as the University prepares to build two structures in an area between the football and baseball fields. When the site is ready, workers will begin constructing the W. Richard Stephens Fieldhouse and the Robert “Ish” Smith Museum in honor of the two former presidents. The area between the two buildings will include new bleachers and a press box.