St. Norbert has received another funding commitment for its new athletics complex, following on the heels of a $4 million gift pledged late last year.

A Green Bay, Wisconsin, business executive, Fred Wakeman, and his wife, Carol, pledged $1 million through a trust toward construction of the new Donald J. Schneider Outdoor Athletic Complex. The new facility will replace a stadium where Green Knights teams have been playing for more than 70 years.

The school announced the stadium’s entry plaza will be named for the Wakemans.

The commitment follows the announcement during December of a $4 million gift from the Donald and Pat Schneider, who will lend their name to the $12 million facility that will provide a competition and practice venue for football, soccer, and track and field.

The Wakemans’ commitment gives the school about two-thirds of the complex’s cost. St. Norbert will proceed with the 15-month construction project after about 90 percent of the funds have been raised.

“This gift from Fred and Carol Wakeman continues our momentum and brings us that much closer to breaking ground,” said President Thomas Kunkel.

Fred Wakeman, a 1950 graduate of St. Norbert, retired as chief financial officer of Green Bay Packaging in 1994, after 41 years with the company which he earlier served as an executive vice president.

Wakeman said he is making the commitment because of the success he enjoyed in his business career and because he believes student-athletes need upgraded facilities in order to continue to be successful.