Daily Digs: UW-Eau Claire's $122M Sonnentag Center, Calvin University's New Soccer Stadium, and More!

The weeklong celebration of The Sonnentag’s opening was highlighted by the Sept. 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $122 million facility on the banks of the Chippewa River.

“This project has far exceeded my expectations,” John Sonnentag says. “Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with building this marvelous complex.”

Construction on the building started in spring 2022 after the Sonnentags, both UW-Eau Claire alumni who met and married while at the university, donated cash and land valued at $70 million. The Sonnentags’ gift is the largest in university history and among the largest ever given to a regional public university in the country. UW-Eau Claire students, Pablo Foundation, the city of Eau Claire and Xcel Energy also were either financial or in-kind donors to the project.

“It has truly taken a cast of thousands to bring this magnificent facility to life, but none of us would be here this afternoon had it not been for the generosity of two amazing Blugolds,” Chancellor James Schmidt says. “The Sonnentags’ love for UW-Eau Claire and their desire to create wonderful opportunities for our students never wavered during this process.”

The 225,900-square-foot complex includes the Sonnentag Event Center, the John and Carolyn Sonnentag Fieldhouse, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Center for Health and Wellbeing and the Mayo Clinic Health System Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Medicine Center. [Wisconsin.edu]

On Saturday, October 5, Calvin University officially opened up its state-of-the-art soccer stadium, among the finest and most unique facilities in NCAA Division III athletics. Project leaders say the cutting-edge venue significantly enhances the student-athlete and fan experience while underscoring the institution’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field. 

“With its incredible features and sustainable design, this stadium truly sets Calvin University apart," said Jim Timmer, director of athletics. "We now have a home worthy of our national-caliber soccer programs, consistently ranked among the best in NCAA Division III. This venue also supports our mission to care for our environment through energy-efficient design.”

Leaders of both the men's and women's programs share the excitement surrounding the opening of the new stadium. They recognize how it will benefit their teams and elevate the overall soccer experience at Calvin University.  [Calvin.edu]

Northern Illinois University Athletics unveiled its newly renovated men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms on Wednesday (Oct. 9). The renovation was the first major upgrade to the Huskie basketball locker rooms since the opening of the NIU Convocation Center more than 20 years ago.

“We are extremely appreciative of all of the donors that helped make this locker room renovation a reality,” said NIU Vice President/Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier. “Our newly renovated locker rooms will greatly enhance the student-athlete experience for both our men’s and women’s basketball programs and provide them with a first-class location to call their own within the Convocation Center.”

Among the highlights of the renovation is the complete replacement of the lockers. Each of the new lockers, which replace the originals from when the Convocation Center opened in 2002, includes a padded seat and backrest, power outlets, a footlocker and overhead storage space. [NIUHuskies.com]

Unveiling our newly renovated @GoHuskiesMBB and @GoHuskiesWBB locker rooms. https://t.co/AlcJg61dCk

— NIU Athletics (@NIUAthletics) October 9, 2024

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