Fall 2026

MCMAHON FIELD

The brand-new McMahon Field at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College wouldn’t be possible without the partnerships and support of many. More than 100 community members and state legislators attended the press conference and ribbon cutting in July announcing the addition of the multi-purpose football and soccer field named for donors Anita Tiberi McMahon ’61 and her son, Michael McMahon. “We are here to celebrate and recognize the culminating piece of a wonderful example of public and private partnership, which is all around us, including this field,” Brennan J. Randolph, president of SMWC, told the attendees. “What you see here is not an ending, but a beginning. This multi-purpose field will continue to develop from today forward and grow as we grow. These are exciting announcements we have today, not just about facilities but also about the support we have from our communities and the expansion of our Office of Athletics in the future.” In July 2022, the Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA), representing the six-county region, announced that SMWC’s proposal would be one of 23 projects

to be funded through the $20 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program, administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). SMWC was awarded a $1.5 million READI grant to fund both the athletic and equine facilities expansion. McMahon Field was the final phase of the READI funded campus projects. The READI program promised to enhance overall quality of life, foster a thriving environment and create opportunities for communities. “The work done here will help grow West Central Indiana, and we’ve already begun to see the impacts in our area with additional visitors, students and staff on this campus,” said Josh Alsip, vice president of regional engagement for West Central Indiana Partnership. SMWC’s soccer game-day field was upgraded to a game-day combination football and soccer field. A portion of the funds was used to enhance the north athletic campus by adding a new football practice field in 2022. The investment in the new field will enable the College to draw in new middle and high school competitions, bringing additional tourism opportunities to the region. McMahon Field will also feature Schmidt Press Box, thanks to

a generous donation from Jerry and Marcia Reder Schmidt ’72. McMahon Field is more than a football field, though. The men’s soccer team played their inaugural game on the field on Aug. 21. The SMWC men’s and women’s soccer teams will share this facility in the fall season, and women’s flag football will begin play on McMahon Field in Spring 2028. “As the recent World Cup has shown, a quality playing surface is a very important part of competitive soccer,” said Kevin Lanke, SMWC’s associate vice president for athletics. “The field upgrades that were necessary to host NAIA football games here on campus are also enabling the NAIA men’s and women’s soccer programs to have an improved home field.” The field was a key component of the switch to NAIA football this fall. “Successful NAIA programs have a true built-in home field advantage – not just in terms of winning on Saturdays but for showcasing the commitment to a scholarship college football program to potential recruits looking for their new home,” Lanke said. “This brings 50 more students to our community from various parts of the United States that will also spend money in Terre Haute and Vigo County.”

Bringing Growth and Opportunities to SMWC

By Betsy Simon Brand Marketing Manager

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