Ball State University officials announced a $12 million fund-raising campaign Oct. 30 that will transform the school's 40-year-old football stadium into a first-class facility with modern amenities.

"Drive to Distinction: The Ball State Stadium Campaign" seeks private funding for expansion and renovation of the stadium. The multiyear project calls for construction of a larger press box and entertainment center, private boxes, enhanced ticket offices, concession facilities, a brick and wrought iron exterior and new seating in the north end zone that will wrap around the structure to create a 25,400-seat horseshoe stadium.

Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora pointed to NCAA figures released Oct. 26 that show Ball State's four-year graduation rate for football players is the highest among public universities in Division I-A. At 78 percent, it is also 24 points above the national average.

Those figures confirm the university's commitment to the student-athlete model and that commitment should carry over to the quality of the university's athletic facilities, she said.

"Our student-athletes receive their educations in outstanding academic facilities, and they should compete in a stadium they are proud to call home," Gora said. "The transformation of the stadium will accomplish that objective by bringing the football stadium in line with the other facilities at Ball State."

Gora took part in the university's campaign announcement shortly before the football Cardinals took the field against visiting Northern Illinois. Among those joining the president to praise the plan were Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, Muncie Mayor Dan Canan, Board of Trustees member Greg Schenkel and Ann Henry, president of the Ball State University Student Foundation.

Longtime Ball State supporter John Fisher, the former president and chairman of Ball Corp., will chair a 32-member fund-raising committee, which consists of university and community representatives as well as alumni.

Fisher believes the campaign will be successful because of the $6.8 million already raised in the last few months.

"Ball State has a long history of strong support from its alumni who want to make it happen," he said. "We will be calling on thousands of alumni, including members of our past football teams, over the next year to assist us in this endeavor. When the stadium is completed, it will be a facility that is among the best — if not the best — in the Mid-American Conference."

The lead gift for the campaign at $2 million comes from John and June Scheumann, who have made several major investments in the university over the years. In 2000, the Scheumanns made a $1 million gift toward the construction of the new athletic training facility, given in appreciation for the football scholarship Scheumann received from Ball State as an undergraduate. In 1997, the couple also made a $700,000 gift to install an artificial turf field for field hockey and football.

John Scheumann, a former Cardinal defensive tackle, graduated in 1971 with a degree in accounting. He is the co-founder and former chairman and chief executive officer of Crossmann Communities. He is currently involved in several real estate and development ventures in Lafayette.

Other major gifts to the campaign have been made by the George and Frances Ball Foundation, Cardinal Varsity Club, Mutual Federal Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Inc. and the Ball Brothers Foundation.

Ball State's football stadium opened in 1967. The facility has been upgraded several times in recent years, including expanding seating capacity to about 22,500, building an athletic training facility, and adding lights to allow for late afternoon and night games.

Cunningham said the stadium's transformation will enable the university's football program to recruit outstanding student-athletes, maintain its standard of excellence as a member in the Mid-American Conference, meet NCAA requirements for Division I-A status and provide a unique and fan-friendly environment.

"Improvements to the stadium will provide a great family atmosphere, while also giving our NCAA Division I-A football program a competitive edge that is long overdue," Cunningham said. "An enhanced stadium will mean a more attractive, safe and fun venue for players, coaches, fans, boosters, alumni, faculty, staff and students."

More information about the stadium transformation and campaign may be found online at the stadium campaign Web site.