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Jack and Joyce Rentschler Practice Field

A $50,000 gift – the first among project donations – from an Indiana State University alumni couple, Jack and Joyce Rentschler, is providing funding to renovate the football practice field at Memorial Stadium.

The renovation project began just after the Memorial Day holiday and includes the removal of the old surface as well ensuring that the playing surface is completely level. After the installation of irrigation, a new grass practice surface will be installed and ready for the Sycamores' first fall practice.

The ISU Board of Trustees has approved a resolution naming of the practice field as the Jack and Joyce Rentschler Football Practice Field at Memorial Stadium.

"As Joyce and I have reflected on our time at ISU, we have realized how important the university is to us," Jack Rentschler, a 1955 business education graduate, said about their gift to the project. "We really enjoyed meeting Coach Mallory, and his wife, Lori. We believe in the vision for the future of the football program and hope the practice field will play an important part in its development."

The Rentschlers, who met while attending Indiana State Teachers College in the 1950s, have continued to follow the Sycamores throughout their lives. Since meeting with football coaching staff and athletic administrators, the couple made this commitment to support rebuilding a championship-caliber program.

"Reviving the practice field is crucial to maximizing practice time and team operations, as well as reducing the wear-and-tear on the newly installed turf on the main field," ISU head football coach Curt Mallory said. "This renovation project would not be possible without a generous lead gift of $50,000 by Jack and Joyce Rentschler. They are both loyal alums who believe in our vision to build a program to achieve consistent success."

The renovation of the practice field has garnered additional support from Indiana State alumni and former football athletes, including major gifts from Mike and Amy Alley and Denny McGuire, who through McGuire Excavating is donating all labor for the project.

"Thanks to contributions from our donors, especially those from alumni, Jack and Joyce Rentschler, Mike and Amy Alley and Denny McGuire, the football practice field will soon undergo much-needed renovations and become the latest enhancement to the football program and an important addition to our overall athletics facilities," ISU Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales said. "These loyal alums recognize the important role that football plays within the athletics department and the university as a whole."

The renovation is one of the projects within Elevate – The Campaign for Sycamore Athletics. Launched in 2017, the campaign has been a dual effort between the university and private donors to provide new and enhanced resources for the athletics program.

"The goal of the Elevate Campaign is to address the immediate needs of each Indiana State athletics team, with a focus on the priorities that directly impact recruiting and that better equip our student-athletes' to compete for MVC and NCAA championships," Clinkscales said.

In addition to university support, more than 230 donors have contributed to Elevate. To date, more than 80 percent of the campaign's $600K fundraising goal has been secured.

"My hope is that other Sycamores will show their support, not only for football, but for all of our teams. Every gift makes a difference," Clinkscales added. "The university has provided tremendous support for Sycamore Athletics over the years. Now it's time for the athletics department to grow revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and fundraising, and for our teams to take care of business on the playing field."