GU donates bleachers to AFHM

Published: February 06, 2023

For many years, football and track fans have used the metal bleachers to watch the competition at the John Strahl Athletic Complex. The bleachers were recently donated to the American Farm Heritage Museum for use at the facility’s tractor pull area.

As Greenville University prepares to launch a major construction project this spring at the John Strahl Athletic Complex on Elm Street, one of the early stages involves some “out with the old” before it’s possible to accomplish the anticipated “in with the new.”

That was the case with the bleachers overlooking the football field and track. Upgraded seating facilities will be included in the new W. Richard Stephens Fieldhouse, which is named in honor of the former GU president who was instrumental in starting the school’s football program. It also will feature restrooms and locker rooms for multiple teams.

But what does one do with used metal bleachers? For the University, the decision was simple. Those bleachers could be productively used by an organization with which GU has partnered in the past— the American Farm Heritage Museum, which is located just southeast of Greenville. As a result, when the summertime events roll around at the museum, about 500 tractor pull fans will be able to view the action from the comfort of the donated bleachers.

“We are very excited about the donation of those bleachers,” said David Kessinger, a longtime member of the AFHM board who also serves as the director of financial aid for GU. “Having those bleachers will immediately upgrade the museum’s facilities, and allow us to better accommodate the crowds we get at the pulls.”

Before the donation, Kessinger said that the museum had two small sections of wooden bleachers. Beyond those limited facilities, pulling fans had to stand, sit on the ground, or provide their own folding chairs to watch the competition.

Greenville University Director of Athletics Tom Ackerman said the donation made sense, given the cooperative relationship that already exists between the school and the museum.

“We are very pleased that the museum can use our bleachers, and that we can further develop our partnership with that amazing organization,” Ackerman said. “Our women’s gymnastics program and our track and field program have benefitted greatly from the use of their facilities, and we hope to continue developing that relationship in the future.”

The track team uses the museum’s large red barn for drills during the winter months when outdoor workouts aren’t possible for sprinters and hurdlers. And the women’s gymnastics team began using the building for its meets this fall. The gymnastics teams’ practice facility, located near the intersection of U.S. Route 40 and Ill. Route 127, doesn’t have room for spectators.

Kessinger said he’s always excited to welcome young people to the American Farm Heritage Museum because it’s a way to familiarize them with the area’s rural heritage. He also has been involved with the model train displays at the museum. Both aspects of the operation — plus the outdoor Christmas displays – have attracted student volunteers from Greenville University.

“We feel that it’s important to expose the younger generation to the farm museum and the rural history we celebrate there,” Kessinger said. “The museum has been blessed with resources, and we are glad to provide the facilities so the University doesn’t need to make a multi-million-dollar investment in a building of its own. We look forward to many more years of partnering with the University.”