The project includes the installation of FieldTurf playing surface at LaBarge Stadium and an eight-lane Mondo FTX surface, construction of a new press box and an alumni/student activities pavilion. The baseball facility will see new bleachers, dugouts and press box and storage for field maintenance.
The FieldTurf playing surface consists of monofilament fibers, which looks, feels and plays like natural grass, and is filled with a mixture of washed silica sand and cryogenic rubber, which does not break down from use or heavy traffic. The synthetic surface has also showed to reduce the number of injuries to student-athletes.
Upon completion of the project this fall, De Smet Jesuit will be just the third facility in the nation, joining Arizona State University and Chicago’s Loyola Academy, with the Mondo FTX track. The official track of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Mondo FTX’s design provides maximum energy return, optimal traction and a greater contact area than other tracks.
This past spring, De Smet conducted a project assessment study as part of the school’s overall master planning effort. In addition to recommendations regarding the school’s plans to address bricks and mortar issues, concerns about the size of De Smet’s endowment and financial assistance program were expressed. More specifically, those interviewed were apprehensive about the adequacy of available financial aid to meet the needs of families who desired to send their sons to De Smet in these challenging economic times.
The reason for this concern became more evident over the summer when financial aid grants were awarded. There was a difference of $382,000 between the identified needs of those who applied for financial aid and money available to fund those needs.
While the lack of adequate financial aid may not be as visible as a dilapidated press box or a crumbling track, it is just as real and just as critical to address. Left unattended, inadequate financial aid will gradually show itself and affect the very core of the school – the student body. Without necessary financial assistance there will be no geographic, cultural, or economic diversity within De Smet.
Thus, the Development Office’s current fund raising initiative involves more than just paying for the stadium project; it also involves raising significant funds for financial assistance, both long term and short. The future needs of De Smet students are addressed by building up the endowment through estate gifts and permanently restricted, named scholarships. There have been some exciting developments in these areas in recent months. The stories behind these gifts will be shared with you in future editions of the Odyssey.
There is, however, an equally urgent need to provide current funds for financial assistance. This can be accomplished by an annual gift to the Partners in Education program, a special one-time gift, or by sponsoring a student. Presently, seven families and foundations are sponsoring nine individual students by providing full or partial assistance with tuition, books, and purchase of a computer. Moreover, many of these are multi-year gifts which will provide for an individual student during all four of his years at De Smet.
The De Smet community is blessed with many generous benefactors who model what it means to be a “Man for Others” and who support the mission of the school by becoming partners in its educational mission. De Smet, however, is always looking for others to join this wonderful group because the need for financial assistance is great.
If you would like more information about establishing a scholarship, please telephone John Stiles at 314-567-3500 ext. 294 or contact him via email at jstiles@desmet.org. If you would like more information on sponsoring a student or making a gift to the annual fund, please contact Ann Beermann at 314-567-3500 ext. 253 or at abeermann@desmet.org.