CAMPUS L I F E
If You Build It...
Students & Special Guests Attend Intramural Fields Dedication Close to 500 friends, including more than 300 students, plus faculty members, staff, and many special guests attended the Oct. 22 dedication of the new McClinton Family Intramural Fields. The event kicked off with music from the Blackshirt Cru Spirit Band and an abundance of cheering for donors Paul “Crunch” and Carol McClinton of Waco. Thanks to the generosity of the McClinton family, UMHB now has a beautifully upgraded recreation space, including the Crunch Time Pavilion. The McClintons donated a $1 million gift toward converting 2.6 acres of fields from natural grass to artificial turf. Other improvements include new field lighting, a pavilion, and permanent striping for the recreational sports
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played on these fields, including football, lacrosse, soccer, and softball. The McClinton family arrived at the new intramural fields to the tune of the Crusader fight song through a high-energy victory line of cheering students. The ceremony included remarks from the university president, Dr. Randy O’Rear, UMHB student Kaden Cordell, and donor "Crunch" McClinton. Following a dedication prayer over the new facility from the university board of trustees chair Vince Banks '84, Crunch and his family cut the ribbon. Then, the group moved to the fields for a ceremonial first pitch from baseball legend Nolan Ryan of RS3 Turf, the company that provided the turf for the new intramural fields. Following the pitch, students and guests were invited to explore
the new McClinton Family Intramural Fields. “I am at a loss for words, but I am so grateful for this day, and I will never forget it,” remarked Crunch McClinton. The university has a robust intramural program with more than 1,000 students participating each semester. In addition to the scheduled intramural activities, the fields are used for exercise and sport science classes, student life events, and unstructured student recreation. “We are proud to have the McClinton name on this incredible facility at UMHB,” said university president Dr. Randy O’Rear. “Our intramural fields are one of the busiest places on campus, and our students deserve this beautiful new space to gather and play.”
