Concordia-St. Paul has received a $2 million gift from an anonymous donor as the school nears completion of its Sea Foam Stadium construction project.

With an earlier $5.5 million gift from alumnus Phil Fandrei and Sea Foam Sales, gifts to the stadium project now top $8 million, completing the university’s Phase 1 goal. The first phase of construction includes the eight-lane track and football/soccer field, bleachers, concourse area, press box and inflatable dome. 

“Sea Foam Stadium will be a blessing to the campus and local community in many ways,” said Concordia-St. Paul President Robert Holst. “Obviously, it will enhance our intercollegiate and intramural athletics programs, but it also will provide a resource for curriculum development in the areas of health, physical fitness and human wellness. I hope that it boosts school spirit and campus pride for all students, and I want it to provide new opportunities for Concordia to be an active presence in the community, especially for neighborhood youth.”  

Construction is on schedule, with plans for the university to host its first home football game against Winona State on September 19. The stadium will officially open with a home soccer game on September 5 against Northern Michigan.

The school’s football, cross country, and track and field athletes did not previously have an on-campus home field. The new stadium brings all the teams back to campus while also providing soccer with a new facility.

“When the idea of playing our games on-campus first came about we were all excited, but now that it’s a reality, we are all really pumped up to get on the field,” said Hayden Vavra, a junior biology/pre-med major and a running back for the Golden Bears football team. “So many guys on the team have been on campus this summer, and we are really working hard as a team. There isn’t a guy on the team that isn’t ecstatic about opening up against Winona State in a brand-new facility.”