Benson Hopes to Score With New Stadium
CONTRIBUTIONS BY KIRSTEN STEWART
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!
Built in 1965, the old Badger stadium has been home to All-Americans and at least one national championship team, but is too small and falling apart, said Benson, who notes it will cost as much to repair it as build a new one -- $3 million.
The new bowl-shaped stadium with its grass turf and 3,000 seats is nothing fancy, said Paula Brewer, alumni director. If approved, it will be built two blocks north of campus on land jointly owned by the city of Ephraim and the university.
Snow's new stadium would be a vast improvement, with plans for lights, a new press box, weight room, concessions and restroom facilities.
View renderings of the new stadium.
"If the stadium flies we'll be able to have night games," which should boost ticket sales, said Brewer, who is confident the college can fill the 1,000 extra seats. "The prison and turkey plant, our two biggest employers, are open during the days. The community can't support us like they want to."
Benson said the stadium falls in line with his goal to improve the junior college's athletics program and "focus on things we do particularly well."
At least eight of Snow's former players have gone pro, including Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Junior Ioane and Derek Smith, a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers.
Visit the Snow College Football Hall of Fame.
"Athletics bring diversity to campus and opportunities for students," said Benson. "Our starting safety, Christian Thompson, also the student body president, has been talking to Swarthmore and Oberlin. Here's a kid from Skyline High School who now might have a chance to go to one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the country."
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