Check out the nice writeup on Nike Grind’s website about the reused shoe synthetic turf infill that was used at Hilken Community Stadium.

More than 1,000 Attended Grand Opening Events on Mar. 3

More than 1,000 neighbors, friends, alumni, and community leaders turned out for the Sat., Mar. 3, 2012 grand opening ceremonies for Concordia University’s new Hilken Community Stadium in Portland, Ore.

The event marked the opening of a new shared community space to play in Northeast Portland, with at least fifty percent of field time dedicated for use by community groups.

ESPN’s Neil Everett emceed the ceremony to open the $7.5 million complex, and the program included appearances by project supporters, including Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish; Nike’s Tim Hershey and Kathy Webb; Portland Timbers COO Mike Golub; as well as Concordia student-athletes, alumni and community partners. Chad Doing of radio station 75o The Game broadcast live from the stadium.

“Thank you for making this dream of a community stadium come true,” said Concordia University President Charles Schlimpert to the crowd of more than 1,000 event attendees.

The first 100 guests received a commemorative scarf, and the day’s free, public activities for fans included a baseball doubleheader, a fan photo booth, complimentary concessions, bouncy house and more. Adding to the festive atmosphere, music included performances by: the Concordia Concert Choir; Concordia Brass Ensemble; the De La Salle North Catholic High School Choir singing the National Anthem; drumming by Concordia alumnus Thomas Brown; and a traditional seventh inning stretch Take Me Out to the Ball Game on a calliope.

The honorary first pitch was thrown by former Concordia baseball coach and professor emeritus of history, Dr. Dwaine Brandt, along with university friend and benefactor, Dr. Robert Hilken. Dr. Robert and Mrs. Virginia Hilken contributed $1.5 million in support of the new stadium.

The Concordia baseball team split the doubleheader against Patten University, dropping the first game 4-3 before winning the night cap 10-4. The following day, Concordia wrapped up a series win against Patten with a 1-0 victory.

The Hilken Community Stadium for soccer and baseball spans four city blocks and provides a well-lit, year-round Nike Grind turf infill made from approximately six million recycled shoes. The stadium provides facilities for student-athletes, alumni, local clubs, and youth camps. The stadium is also the new home field for Northeast United Soccer Club and Central Catholic baseball. Both soccer and baseball fields have a press box and stadium seating for more than 1,000 spectators. For more information, visit www.BringTheTeamsHome.com.

Concordia University has received a $1.5 million gift from longtime supporters Robert and Virginia Hilken, and will name the new $7.5 million athletic complex in their honor.

A grand opening for Hilken Community Stadium is scheduled for noon March 3 at 2715 N.E. Liberty St. The stadium is considered “shared community space” for Northeast Portland soccer teams and the university.

The stadium, which spans four blocks, will provide a lit, year-round turf field that seats 1,000. It will be home field for the university’s baseball and soccer teams, as well as the Northeast United Soccer Club and Central Catholic High School baseball.

The Hilkens established the Hilken Family Endowment and the Robert & Virginia Hilken Family Nursing Center in the George R. White Library & Learning Center. Robert Hilken founded the Concordia University Foundation in 1980 and continues to serve as a foundation board member.

Concordia University    has received a $1.5 million gift from Dr. Robert and Virginia Hilken that will go towards a new $7.5 million athletic complex.

The complex will be named the Hilken Community Stadium. A grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, at noon. The ceremony will be followed by a baseball doubleheader.

The complex is at 2715 N.E. Liberty St., in Northeast Portland. It spans four city blocks and includes turf fields for baseball and soccer. The facility will be available for public use roughly 50 percent of the time.

The Hilkens are long-time Concordia supporters. They previously established the Hilken Family Endowment which provides scholarships. They also established the Robert & Virginia Hilken Family Nursing Center on campus. Robert Hilken founded the Concordia University Foundation in 1980 and is currently on its board.

Concordia University is a private, Lutheran, liberal arts university founded in 1905. It has 3,000 students.

Read full article on the Portland Business Journal website.

Concordia University in Portland, Ore., received a $1.5 million dollar gift from long-time Concordia University friends and benefactors, Dr. Robert and Mrs. Virginia Hilken.

The gift supports the University’s new $7.5 million athletic complex which will be named the Hilken Community Stadium.  The public is invited to join in a free Grand Opening of the Concordia University Hilken Community Stadium on Sat., Mar. 3, 2012, at noon at 2715 N.E. Liberty St., followed by a baseball doubleheader.  The event marks the opening of a new shared community space to play in Northeast Portland. At least fifty percent of field time is dedicated for use by community groups.

The Hilkens have been committed to Concordia University for many years, establishing the Hilken Family Endowment which provides scholarship support for Concordia students.  In 2009, they established the Robert & Virginia Hilken Family Nursing Center in the George R. White Library & Learning Center.  Mr. Hilken founded the Concordia University Foundation in 1980, he continues to serve as a current board member of the Foundation, and he has also previously served on the University’s Board of Regents.

The Hilken Community Stadium spans four city blocks and provides a well-lit, year-round turf field and facilities for student-athletes, alumni, local clubs, and youth camps. It includes first-class facilities for soccer and baseball to meet the growing needs of Cavalier athletics and the community.  The stadium is also the new home field for Northeast United Soccer Club and Central Catholic baseball.  Both soccer and baseball fields have a press box and stadium seating for more than 1,000 spectators. For more information, visit www.BringTheTeamsHome.com.

RSVP for the event online.

by Allison Gunter

This week, for the very first time, our Concordia women’s softball team was able to walk out of the locker room on campus and straight onto the field and practice facilities in the new Concordia University & Community Athletic Complex.  The entire team was overwhelmed at the incredible batting cage and practice area.  The new athletic complex  provides us with so many benefits – with  a large, on-campus batting cage, we can have several athletes hitting at a time, others pitching along  the side, and additional players taking ground balls on the field.

I am so thankful for our community and donors who made this field possible.  It has greatly benefited the athletic program at Concordia and makes us so proud to have a place of our own.   It was exciting watching the development of the field, from clearing the four-block radius on campus in NE Portland,  to laying the turf.  And, now, we are excited to be making great use of it.  I am so proud to call myself a Concordia Cavalier and to be a part of this great experience.

Allison Gunter is a Concordia sophomore, business major, and women’s softball pitcher from San Diego, California.

Check out our beautiful, nearly-complete Concordia University & Community Athletic Complex.

We’ve already played soccer games on our field, and we look forward to our Grand Opening on March 3, 2012, when our baseball teams will be able to play.  We appreciate all of your support, and thank you for helping us bring the teams home!