Andrea Diaz
Reporter
Idaho State University has renovated Davis Field and they officially dedicated it November 19, 2020. Davis Field has been a part of ISU for 88 years and many events happened in that time, such as sporting events and concerts. The field has undergone many changes and renovations. According to the ISU Davis Field Renovation website, those changes include: widening the soccer field to meet NCAA requirements, replacing the east bleachers with terraced hillside, modifying the track geometry to increase the speed of the track, adding LED lights for nighttime practice and competition, replacing the west bleachers to for ADA accommodation, providing a new scoreboard, redesigning the entire facility to comply with ISU’s new branding, and much more.
After these renovations were completed, the dedication took place. First ISU President, Kevin Satterlee, spoke about what a dedication means, the importance of the new renovations, and how this area will encourage the students and community to come together. He emphasized the importance of ISU athletes and how these changes will enable the athletics program to do more sporting events and competitions. He ended his speech by saying, “To our students, to our faculty, to our staff, to our entire community, and to all of our Bengal family out there everywhere, today we hereby dedicate Davis Field to all of you and your support of this institution and your support of our roar. Roar, Bengals, Roar.
Next to speak was ISU Director of Cross Country/Track and Field, Hillary Merkley. She talked about how this day was very exciting as she has been wanting to make these renovations happen for a long time. She expressed that she had made plans to renovate the field time and time again, but always ran into something that would prevent the renovations, so this was a joyful day for her. She also mentioned that after the hiring President Satterlee she felt hope after his first speech to the university, that he would help make the much needed renovations happen. Her closing remarks included, “President Satterlee, I want to thank you specifically for your leadership and for instilling hope in things at a time when it was very much needed. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it and there is so many that will benefit from this facility and project and Davis Field will now, once again, be a great place for learning and hope for our student athletes, alumni, fans, and the ISU community.”
The next speaker was ISU Student Athlete, Brianna Vanvleet. Her opening remarks include, “I can not begin to explain the benefits that come with this new track. As a team, we have been able to accomplish many amazing things with limited resources and facilities. Now I can say that the possibilities are truly endless.” She went on to say that she is very thankful for the new facility and knows that it will be beneficial to many student athletes and the community.
ISU Director of Athletics, Pauline Thiros was the next speaker. She opens by saying that this project is a representation of the universities dedication to it’s students. She expresses her excitement for what is to come and says that this is only the beginning. “There are more ribbons, in the future, to be cut.” Thiros said. She also recognizes William “Bud” Davis, who was the ISU president from 1965 to 1975 and is who the field is named after.
The dedication concluded with the official cutting of the ribbon and a virtual tour of the new Davis Field. The final remarks came from ISU students of all grade levels and their main message was one of hope and excitement for what is to come.
