Last modified: Friday, April 26, 2013
IU dedicates new softball stadium, Andy Mohr Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2013
PHOTOS: Click here for a photo gallery of the dedication ceremony. Click here for a gallery of game photos.
EDITOR'S NOTE: At the April 23 dedication of Andy Mohr Field, Indiana University First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie spoke about the impact of Title IX, the landmark legislation that provided for equal educational opportunities for women, and gender equality in collegiate athletics. The full text of IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie's remarks are available online.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Michael McRobbie presided over the dedication ceremony for the new Andy Mohr Field on Tuesday, April 23.
IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie spoke at the April 23 dedication of Andy Mohr Field.
McRobbie and Andy Mohr spoke at the ceremony along with IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletes Fred Glass, IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie, IU Softball student-athlete Amanda Wagner, Softball Head Coach Michelle Gardner, Architect John M. Dierdorf and Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities Thomas A. Morrison. IU Softball student-athlete Shelby Gogreve provided dedicatory music.
"This splendid softball field is part of a new generation of state-of-the-art resources that you see around here for our student-athletes," said McRobbie. "In addition, it stands as a testament to the devotion and commitment of two distinguished alumni and generous benefactors of Indiana University, Andy and Lorna Mohr."
"This is very exciting for Lorna and I and, without a doubt, very humbling," said Andy Mohr. "To have our name permanently attached to such a great facility is incredibly flattering and deeply moving. I thank all those associated with Indiana University for this privilege, because it truly is a privilege."
In remarks at the dedication, IU First Lady Laurie Burns McRobbie discussed the impact of Title IX, the landmark 1972 legislation, sponsored by Indiana Sen. Birch Bayh, which required equal opportunity for girls and women in all federally funded programs and activities, including sports. She also spoke about achievements in women's sports over the last 40 years and challenges that women's athletes continue to face.
"Over the last 40 years, women's sports have become part of the spirit and traditions of Indiana University," Laurie McRobbie said. "But that didn't happen automatically. Many people worked long and hard to bring us to the initial goal of 60 percent men, 40 percent women, set by the Big Ten in 1992, and to where we are today, with a nearly perfect balance between male and female athletes.
"What is especially important about this accomplishment is that, unlike many other schools, we didn't achieve balance by decreasing opportunities for men, but by adding new varsity sports for women. One of the most obvious measures of true equity is the quality of facilities. Here again, IU has made significant and impressive progress."
A first generation automobile dealer, Mohr founded his company in 1993 in Greencastle, Ind. Since its founding, Andy Mohr Automotive Group has grown to become one of the largest auto groups in the state of Indiana, representing 10 vehicle brands at nine locations in Indianapolis, Fishers, Plainfield and Avon. Today, it employs over 800 people in central Indiana.
Having grown up in Indianapolis and Brownsburg, Ind., Mohr earned a bachelor of science degree from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He currently resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Lorna, a fellow IU graduate, and their two children.
Barbara K. Siwy, a former IU softball player, and Lisa Baker were also recognized for a significant gift made in support of the new stadium's clubhouse.
"Andy Mohr Field and the Siwy-Baker Clubhouse bring softball for the forefront of Indiana Athletics," said Amanda Wagner, a senior infielder on the IU Softball team. "This facility also puts Indiana on the map as a premium softball destination with many advantages over other Big Ten teams and other elite programs in the country."
"Words can not adequately explain how I feel each and every day when I walk in this facility," said Head Coach Michelle Gardner. "It's magnificent."
"Future student-athletes are focusing more on the facilities that they are going to train and compete in. I am extremely proud to show recruits some of the most magnificent facilities in the country. I am speaking of the North End Zone (Student-Athlete Development Center), the Wilkinson Performance Center, as well as the D. Ames Shuel Academic Center. And now to complete the picture with this beautiful stadium, Andy Mohr Field."
"On behalf of all of our student-athletes, my staff and myself, I would like to say, I am extremely grateful for the support and commitment this university and athletic department has made to our softball program."
Andy Mohr Field Highlights and Features:
- New locker rooms, dugouts and warm-up areas
- Indoor hitting cages
- Press box
- Hospitality suite
- New scoreboard
- New stadium lighting
- Team room for players
- New PA/sound system
- Bench and stadium chair seating
- Storage for equipment
- Accommodation for TV cameras and production trucks
- Concessions and restrooms for fans
The IU Board of Trustees approved construction of a new softball and baseball complex, located on the north edge of the IU Bloomington athletics campus near the State Road 45/46 Bypass, in August 2011. Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects of Indianapolis designed the complex. Construction began in May 2012 by Gilbane Construction. The new $19.8 million complex was funded through private donations and athletic department funds and replaces Sembower Field and the IU Softball Field, which are located on Fee Lane adjacent to Foster Residence Center.
In December 2012, Indiana University Athletics announced that the name its new softball facility would be Andy Mohr Field in honor of a major gift to IU Athletics from Mohr.
Indiana University will dedicate its new baseball stadium, Bart Kaufman Field on Friday, April 26. Reception and tours of the team's clubhouse will begin at 4 p.m. Remarks will begin at 5 p.m., and IU Baseball will play the University of Michigan at 6:05 p.m.
Major naming and gift opportunities are still available as part of the overall baseball and softball complex. To learn how you can support these facilities, contact the IU Varsity Club at 812-855-0866 or varsity@indiana.edu.
About the IU Varsity Club
Established in 1954, the Varsity Club serves as the development arm of IU Athletics. Through its fundraising efforts, the Varsity Club enables student-athletes in 24 varsity sports to receive quality academic and athletic experiences at Indiana University.
Varsity Club donors support student-athletes through contributions for scholarships, facility projects, renovations and improvements. Annual giving donors are eligible for special benefits and priority points used for preferred seating at football and men's basketball games.
