A wet night did not dampen homecoming enthusiasm at Kansas Wesleyan University Saturday night as the recently constructed Graves Family Sports Complex was formally dedicated.

While the stadium complex was officially dedicated Saturday night, it actually opened for the first time last year at homecoming.

The stadium project began in January of 2014 with the demolition of the 73-year-old Glenn L. Martin sandstone stadium. Because of its condition, the stadium had not been utilized for KWU games since 2007. The stadium, which opened back in 1940, was demolished to make way for the new sports complex.

Former Kansas Governor Bill Graves and his sister Martha Graves Reese, both KWU graduates, were honored prior to the football game Saturday night, along with those who contributed leadership gifts toward the project.

Graves told KSAL News that this weekend was the first time he has been able to see the stadium that is named after his family. He added that he is very proud to have been a part of the community effort that made the stadium complex a reality.

 

And as for the game itself, two lightning delays didn’t slow down the Coyotes, as they hammered the Southwestern Moundbuilders 63-13 on homecoming night.