University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Officially Dedicates Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium Sunday
11/3/2014 2:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Track & Field - Outdoor
Pictured in photo below, from left: University of Delaware AD Eric Ziady, Stuart Grant, women's track & field head coach Wendy McFarlane, Suzanne Grant, Gov. Jack Markell, women's soccer head coach Scott Grzenda, men's soccer head coach Ian Hennessy
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware officially dedicated Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium Sunday before the Delaware men's soccer game against Elon.
The facility, which will be used by the men's and women's soccer teams as well as the UD track and field team, was renamed in recognition of UD Trustee Stuart M. Grant and his wife, Suzanne B. Grant, who generously made a $1.5 million commitment to support renovations to the facility last February. This history-making gift is the largest single donation made by an individual or couple to be allocated in support of a UD Athletics facility project.
“A project such as this simply does not happen without the financial support of generous donors,” said University of Delaware Director of Athletics Eric Ziady. “The fact that our mission matches up so closely with Stuart and Suzanne's passion for the overall student-athlete's experience is what makes 
today really special.”
UD Athletics purposed the Grants' gift to complete the extensive stadium renovation. Among the upgrades are an expansion of the stadium's seating capacity to 1,400, including a number of handicapped-accessible seats. To improve spectator sightlines and allow for storage underneath, the new bleachers were elevated. Other improvements have included the installation of a new sound system and the construction of a tower platform for film and television crews, the latter built atop a new 48-foot, climate-controlled press box that is able to accommodate 24 people.
“All you need to do is just look around and you can see this is a beautiful space,” said University of Delaware President Dr. Patrick Harker. “This gift is an investment in our strengths, but even more so, it is an endorsement of our potential. A university is only as strong as its people and our people are beyond fortunate to have Stuart and Suzanne Grant in our corner.”
Prior upgrades were made to the facility in 2000, 2011, and in 2013, including the installation of a natural Bermuda grass playing surface, a drainage and irrigation system to maintain the new field and a new Benyon all-weather track.
“[The Grant's] look at things from a problem-solving perspective,” said Delaware Governor Jack Markell. “[They] look at things they care about and they say 'how can our family make a difference?' All of us in Delaware are go grateful to the fact that you have taken that approach here at the University of Delaware and to the state as a whole.”
The stadium renovation is just the latest in a series of athletic facility improvement projects initiated by UD Athletics to enhance the experience of its student-athletes and the comfort of its fans. Other recent projects include major renovations to the Bob Hannah Baseball Stadium, which was completed last March, the transformation of the Delaware Field House to a premier indoor practice facility, a 45,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the Carpenter Sports Building, and the resurfacing of the soccer practice fields with Bermuda grass.
“Most importantly, we'd like to thank our student-athletes,” said Stuart Grant. “As we know, at this level, there is no offseason and all the while they are working, we are also asking them to perform at the highest levels in the classroom and in the community. Those are the three pillars that underlie all UD athletics – success on the field, success in the classroom, and success in the community. UD and its supporters help our student-athletes in their pursuit of success. Our gift of this stadium is a small part in this effort.”
The Blue Hen men's soccer team celebrated the historic day in grand fashion as Delaware scored two first-half goals on the way to a 2-1 win over Elon, clinching the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title and a home berth in the CAA Tournament Nov. 14-16.
