“It’s a great day to be a Beaver,” said Oregon State University President F. King Alexander, as Athletic Director Scott Barnes and Head Football Coach Jonathan Smith sat on either side of a long table. The trio announced an historic $50 million lead gift to provide extensive renovations to Reser stadium’s west grand stands during a press conference, Thursday.
The donation stands as the largest sum of money ever gifted to OSU. When the gift is approved by board members, crews will work immediately following the 2021 football season and hope to finish at the beginning of the 2023 season.
In addition to supporting our football team and all of OSU athletics, the completion of the Reser Stadium project will have significant impact on all students, faculty and staff,” President Fitzgerald said. According to the university, those amenities include a new state-of-the art interactive welcome center for new students considering attending OSU; new health center facilities for Corvallis campus students; health care facilities for OSU faculty and staff; and additional meeting space for university students, faculty and staff.
Coach Jonathan Smith said this incredibly generous gift was a signal that Oregon State views football as a priority. “As a football coach, this shows a continued investment in football,” he told reporters, Thursday. “There’s no question this project is going to help this football program in recruiting, and maintaining the momentum we’ve created.”
The stadium’s east side was renovated prior to the 2005 season and included a double-decked grandstand featuring chair-backed seats, 22 luxury suites, a club area, and a loge area that includes a game-day restaurant and premium stadium box seating areas.