Work begins on facilities at GU Athletic Complex

Published: June 28, 2023

Author: Dave Bell

On June 26, the first bulldozer made the first pass over the ground that will usher in a new era at the Greenville University Athletic Complex.

On that day, work began on two buildings that will honor a pair of former GU presidents – the late Robert “Ish” Smith and W. Richard Stephens – and provide some much-needed facilities for the school’s athletes and fans.

“I’m ecstatic that we’re finally seeing some progress on this project,” said GU Athletic Director Tom Ackerman. “It’s been a long process to get to this point, but we’re now moving forward. For that movement, I give a lot of credit to GU President Suzanne Davis. She was an athlete here, and she understands how important athletes and athletics are to the university.”

The two adjacent buildings will be located between the football field and the baseball field – with the W. Richard Stephens Fieldhouse facing the football field and track, and the Robert “Ish” Smith Museum facing the baseball field. The Stephens building will include restrooms and locker rooms for multiple teams, while the Smith building will include a baseball museum (from Smith’s time with USA and international baseball), public meeting rooms, and a viewing area for baseball games. Expanded bleachers and a press box will allow fans and the media unprecedented views of the football and track facility.

Construction is being done by CMI General Contractors, of which GU alum Charles McPherson is owner and CEO.

“This project also will be a tribute to the faithful work of our athletic directors and coaches – including Max Bowman, who launched the football program here during the Stephens' presidency,” Ackerman said. “All of the ADs who have gone before me have laid the foundation for this project. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

Though the project was originally slated to start early this year, Ackerman said he’s still hoping that construction will be far enough along that at least some of the Panthers’ home football games can be played on the GU field. “I’ve been told that we will have the bleachers and the press box ready by homecoming (Oct. 21) and we will be able to host that game at our field,” he said.

If roadblocks are encountered and sufficient progress hasn’t been made to hold home games in the new facility, Ackerman said the backup plan is to hold them at the Bond County Community Unit 2 High School field.

“We feel that this project will add a level of pride in our athletic programs and in our university,” Ackerman said. “We need our alums to get involved in our current campaign to enhance our facilities and the university generally.

For more information about participating in this and other projects on campus, contact the university at (618) 664-7100. To view ongoing pictures of this project as it progresses, go to Greenville.edu/projects.

This artist's rendering shows the approximate appearance of the buildings being constructed at the GU Athletic Complex.