Kachel family donates $1.5 million for multi-sport athletic complex
Released: May 1, 2008
Thanks to a $1.5 million leadership gift from David and Lolita Kachel and the Kachel family, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is one step closer to completing its state-of-the-art Multi-Sport Athletic Complex.
While this gift will be specifically used toward the installation of a synthetic surface and other improvements to Perkins Stadium, it is part of an overall effort to further enhance the university's outdoor sports arena, which includes track and field, soccer, softball and baseball venues.
"This is a gift from the entire Kachel family," David Kachel said. "All of us went to UW-Whitewater and have been a part of the Whitewater community. We are happy to be able to give back to the university and want to challenge others to step forward to support Warhawk athletics."
In consideration of this gift, the university will honor the Kachels by naming the entire Warhawk athletic area the Kachel Family Sports Complex. This includes the Williams Center, the DLK/Kachel Fieldhouse, Perkins Stadium and the rest of the outdoor sports complex.
"Dave and Lolita Kachel and their family have once again shown extraordinary support for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater," Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said. "Over the years the Kachel family has supported UW-Whitewater through their time and talents but also with funds to help create outstanding educational and athletic facilities. The Kachel family was one of the largest donors to the new College of Business and Economics building. This most recent and generous gift will further enhance the exceptional athletic facilities on our campus. I am pleased that our athletic complex will be named for the Kachel family. Warhawk athletics have been an important part of their lives for many years and the Kachels have always been strong supporters of our teams. It's fitting that the naming honor go to them. I extend my heartfelt thank you to Dave and Lolita and their children for their continued support of UW-Whitewater. We are a better campus because of their many gifts."
"The Kachels have been longtime friends of Warhawk Athletics and continue to help us sustain our standards of excellence," Athletic Director Paul Plinske said. "This gift will help us build on our existing facilities to create the best venues in America allowing us to attract high-caliber student athletes and compete among the nation's elite."
UW-Whitewater students have already provided support through student fees for support of this project, including the artificial turf at Prucha Baseball Field and Perkins Stadium. The university is currently seeking an additional $1.5 million for other enhancements to the multi-sport athletic complex, including:
- Prucha Baseball Field: An upgraded sound system, new fencing, entry statement, irrigation system, field lighting and complete work on the current service building. The field will feature synthetic turf and a new service building will include restrooms and concessions.
- Fiskum Soccer Field/Foster Track and Field: A 1,700-seat stadium with press box, nine-lane competition track, natural grass surface, areas for jumps (long jump, triple jump, pole vault), provisions for throwing events (shot put, discus, hammer and javelin), fencing, entry statement, irrigation system, field lighting and scoreboard.
- Van Steenderen Softball Complex: A 300-seat stadium plus a service building with press box, rest rooms,and concessions, renovated playing field surface, sound system, fencing, entry statement, irrigation system, field lighting and scoreboard.
- Perkins Stadium: Synthetic turf and new entry statements
- Melissa DiMotto,dimottom@uww.edu
