Montana State University Billings has renamed its softball stadium "Avitus Group Stadium," Friday following a $50,000 donation from the Avitus Group.
The donation that will be endowed in a five-year time span will support the construction of a new press box and scoreboard improvement.
A&E Architects and builders Langlas & Associates have been roped in to complete the additions. The construction is scheduled to begin May 1 and finish by July 15.
"We believe this project will not only enhance the experience for our student-athletes, but it will also increase the visibility of our softball program and enhance recruiting efforts," said Krista Montague, MSUB athletic director, Billingsgazette reports.
Dianne Parker, Avitus' public relations manager, said that the company was motivated to make the gift after seeing the hard work, commitment and ability of MSUB student-athletes to balance both academics and athletics.
"Avitus Group makes it a priority to give back to the community where our company started, we're excited to support MSU-B and the higher education system in Montana. These students are the future, and we can think of no better cause than to support the next generation as they make education a priority," Parker said in a press release.
The new press box will be located at the stadium's southwest corner, on the east side of North 27th Street, behind home plate. Ed George from Langlas & Associates said that the box will measure 8-foot-tall steel and incorporate modern techniques, normally seen in larger buildings.
"Even though it's small, it's going to be here 100 years down the road," George said.
The donation will also enhance the scoreboard with new paints, new signs, new numbers, lettering and an illuminated Avitus Group signage. Plus, MSUB will use the amount for elevated bleachers behind third base and to create a softball collage on the extra space.
The stadium was previously called the Cenex Stadium but went unnamed throughout the entire spring season.
Last Month, Stan Fulton, a businessman and long-time supporter of New Mexico State University, made a gift of $1 million for synthetic turf installation at the school's football stadium.
Athletic Director Mckinley Boston said that the installation of synthetic turf will bring benefits to the University. They will be able to host more community events like band competitions without bothering about deterioration of the field and the grass maintenance costs will also go down.
