Fort Hays State University celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex on Friday morning, marking the start of Homecoming weekend. The 20,000-square-foot facility, located in the south end zone of Lewis Field Stadium, is set to significantly benefit FHSU’s athletic programs.
With an estimated cost of $11.5 million, the complex will serve the football team and improve training facilities for all student-athletes. The completion of the new complex is anticipated for November 2025.
FHSU Athletics has always prioritized the health and injury prevention of student-athletes. The new complex will feature a large meeting room and an impressive locker room designed to accommodate 130 athletes. In addition to these spaces, the complex will include much-needed coaching offices. FHSU Director of Sports Medicine Nate Hepner stated that these expanded health resources, including the new sports medicine area, will elevate Fort Hays State’s athletic program to the next level.
FHSU is making significant progress in funding this project, thanks to the generous support of donors who have already contributed. However, additional fundraising efforts are still necessary. There are several opportunities for those interested in participating in this exciting initiative, including:
- Contributing a gift, whether large or small, to the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex.
- Naming a football locker in honor of a loved one, your business, or in memory of a family member or friend for $3,000. You can choose to pay the full amount upfront or make an initial payment of $1,000 and be billed annually for the remaining balance.
- Naming a specific space within the athletic complex.
