Russek Field
Thanks to the generosity of alumnus Gary E. West, the West Liberty University athletic department will have an artificial lighting system in place at historic Russek Field in time for the start of the 2013 football season.
“We are grateful to Gary for his ongoing support and expect this gift of lighting to add a whole new dimension to our football program. Our players, coaches, fans, campus and the entire community thank him for his gift. It will add dramatically to the experience of both the fans and student-athletes,” says President Robin C. Capehart.
Russek Field currently features a MondoTurf playing surface and seats 4,000 fans.
The lighting represents phase two of the football stadium upgrades funded by West, since the turf, installed in 2008, also was a West gift. This new project is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $500,000.
“This field will benefit many teams, individuals and groups besides football athletes. The entire campus community will benefit tremendously. We thank Gary for his ongoing generosity,” says Athletic Director Jim Watson. “This allows our team to practice in the evening, which is very important with class schedules.”
The construction firm selected after bidding the lighting project was Plavchak Construction Company, Jefferson Hills, Pa. The lighting system itself is designed by Musco Lighting, Canonsburg, Pa. The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 1.
“The addition of new lighting will give us more options when planning our season. This year we’ll play our first night game on Halloween — when we take on the Charleston Golden Eagles,” says Head Football Coach Roger Waialae, now entering his ninth season leading the Hilltoppers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Waialae has a 53-36 (.595) record and is looking forward to another winning season for Topper football fans.
The 2013 season will mark the 88th year of intercollegiate football at the University and the Hilltoppers’ first season of competition as a charter member of the NCAA’s newest Division II all-sports league, the Mountain East Conference (MEC). To follow all the scores and news of Hilltopper athletics, visit hilltoppersports.com.
More about Gary E. West:
A Wheeling native, West earned his business administration degree from West Liberty in 1958.
As a successful businessman, West bought Valley Welding Supply Company and grew it from a one-shop operation to a business with 84 locations in 10 states and annual sales in excess of $250 million. West’s business became the largest privately held distributor of industrial and medical gases and welding supplies in the United States.
West is also president of West Rentals, Inc., President Plymouth Holding LLC, and GEW Real Estate, LLP, as well as president and secretary of Acetylene Products Corp. West was named West Virginia Entrepreneur of the Year, is a member of Who’s Who in West Virginia Business and was inducted into the West Liberty State College’s Alumni Wall of Honor in 1993. In 2006, he was inducted into WVU’s College of Business and Economics Business Hall of Fame.
He and his wife Flip established the Guy H. and Mary Ann West School of Business Scholarship Endowment, and he has served in the past as chair of WLU’s capital campaign, which he supported with the largest lifetime gift commitment by individuals in the history of WLU.
He also is a member of West Liberty’s Foundation board of directors.
The Gary E. West College of Business at West Liberty University is proud to bear his name as a result of a 2010 gift. West’s generosity also has funded a number of other campus improvements.
