Introduction

LITTLE GIANT STADIUM AND FRANK NAVARRO FIELD

Little Giant Stadium provides Wabash with a first-rate NCAA Division III facility for the campus community, fans, and the student-athletes on the football and track and field teams. This once-in-a-generation project is a showcase for student recruitment during home events and summer camps.

The $15 million stadium is fully accessible and includes a main grandstand with seating for more than 3,500 fans; media, game operations, and coaching booths; a second-floor W. Club Lounge with four dedicated suites; ticketing and concession areas; FieldTurf playing field and Beynon all-weather track surface; a new and relocated scoreboard; and the Hall of Giants that celebrates our rich tradition of athletics excellence.

Lead donor Kevin G. Clifford ’77 and his family chose to pay tribute to former Wabash football coach Frank Navarro by naming the playing field in his honor. Coach Navarro led the Little Giants from 1974 to 1977 and Mr. Clifford served as a student assistant coach in his senior year.

Mr. Clifford was a member of the Wabash Board of Trustees from 1994 through 2014. He had an enormously successful career as a key leader of the Capital Group. He retired in 2019 after 37 years of service, including as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of American Funds Distributors.

Coach Navarro’s 1977 team posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (the Division III National Championship game). The clock ran out on Wabash in a 39-36 shootout loss to Widener in the title game. Navarro’s 1976 team went 7-3 to post the College’s first winning season in 10 years, and he led Wabash to 5-0 home records in both 1976 and 1977.

Wabash football is the fifth winningest football program in NCAA Division III. The Little Giants have posted a 173-37 record since 2001 (.823), won nine North Coast Athletic Conference Championships, and made the Division III Playoffs eight times over that span.

The College’s track and field team has won 15 indoor and outdoor North Coast Athletic Conference Championships since 2011.