Lincoln Park Stadium Rededicated As Hanson Stadium
FOREST GROVE – The facility has a new look with its attractive new roof, and now Lincoln Park Stadium will carry a new name to honor the benefactors who made that roof possible.
Lincoln Park Stadium was officially renamed Hanson Stadium by a vote of the Pacific University Board of Trustees in May. The new moniker honors Rich & Joy Hanson, who have made numerous significant contributions to the university's athletic programs and facilities. The stadium will be re-dedicated in a ceremony during Pacific's football opener against the College of Idaho on Sat., Sept. 6.
"I could not be happier that we can honor the Hansons with the naming of our stadium in their honor," said Pacific Director of Athletics Ken Schumann. "Rich's leadership has made it possible for us to advance our programs and facilities and create a better experience for all of our student-athletes. I am personally very grateful for their tremendous support of Boxer athletics."
The Hansons provided the leadership gifts for the construction of the roof over Hanson Stadium, which will be completed for the start of the 2014-15 athletics seasons. The couple has been a significant supporter of Pacific athletics over the years, also contributing to the return of the football program, installation of the FieldTurf surface in the Stoller Center fieldhouse and the development of the Boxer Learning Center.
A member of the Pacific University Board of Trustees since 2005, Mr. Hanson also provided assistance in starting the university's College of Business.
"Rich and Joy Hanson have held Pacific University dear to their hearts for many years, and we are most grateful for their continued generosity and leadership," said Pacific University President Lesley Hallick.
Both Hansons are natives of Forest Grove, with Mr. Hanson graduating from the University of Oregon in 1965. He spent his entire professional career with Weyerhaeuser, retiring in 2008 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. The Hansons currently reside in Longbranch, Washington.
In addition to his interest in Pacific University, Mr. Hanson has also been a board member or director with Associated Oregon Industries, the Mountains to Sound Greenway project, the Oregon Business Council, the Oregon Forest Industries Council, the Oregon State University Forest Research Laboratory, the Oregon Zoo, SOLV, the U.S.-China Business Council and the World Forestry Center.
Completed in 2007, Hanson Stadium is one of three facilities that comprise the Lincoln Park Athletic Complex. A jointly built facility with the City of Forest Grove, the complex also includes Chuck Bafaro Stadium at Bond Field (baseball) and Sherman/Larkins Stadium (softball). Hanson Stadium is the home facility for Pacific University's football, soccer, women's lacrosse and track and field programs, and is also used by numerous community groups.
About Pacific University Athletics: One of the fastest growing college athletics programs in the nation, Pacific University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference. Pacific currently sponsors 24 intercollegiate programs, four junior varsity programs and four club programs. Men's programs are offered in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and wrestling. Women's programs are offered in basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball and wrestling. Club teams are offered in cheerleading, dance, handball and rugby. Over 600 students, comprising nearly 40 percent of the undergraduate student population, participates in the Pacific University athletics program. For more information, please visit GoBoxers.com.