Queen’s University announced today that Stu Lang, an alumnus and former star player on the Gaels football team, has pledged a lead gift of $10 million towards the revitalization of Richardson Stadium. With this pledge in place, the university will undertake a special campaign over the next few months to raise the remainder of the $25 million required to modernize the 40-year-old facility.

“Mr. Lang has shown tremendous vision and leadership in his desire to help Queen’s revitalize Richardson Stadium and we are very grateful for his generosity,” says Daniel Woolf, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “A modern stadium with a new artificial turf field will promote the excellence of our teams and better meet the needs of our student athletes. This exceptional gift gets us closer to making this dream a reality.”

After graduating from Queen’s in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering, Mr. Lang went on to a successful eight-season career with the Edmonton Eskimos, winning five Grey Cup championships.

“It is a privilege for me to make this pledge to my alma mater. My wife and I met at Queen’s. My experience as a student athlete prepared me well for the rest of my life. A big part of my personal development occurred outside the classroom as athletics, more than anything, shaped my life and I am happy to support Queen’s through my contribution to Richardson Stadium,” says Mr. Lang.

Mr. Lang has shown tremendous vision and leadership in his desire to help Queen’s revitalize Richardson Stadium and we are very grateful for his generosity.

– Principal Daniel Woolf

The revitalization of Richardson Stadium is a priority within Queen’s $500-million Initiative Campaign. It is the next step in the university’s efforts to enhance its athletics and recreation facilities to promote the health and wellness of all students. Other recent projects include the Athletics and Recreation Centre, two new practice fields on west campus, Tindall Field and Nixon Field.

Paul and Vicki Hand, Co-Chairs of the Initiative Campaign Fields and Stadium Campaign Cabinet, said this announcement marks a great day for Queen’s.

“Stu’s commitment to sport and student athletes is well known and we are proud to have his name and reputation associated with this project. His extraordinary gift to his alma mater makes it possible for the university and our volunteer fundraising group to move ahead immediately to raise the balance of funds required to build a new Stadium. On behalf of Gord Nixon, the chair of the Initiative Campaign, we want to thank Stu for his commitment to youth, education and sport in Canada – he embodies the “spirit of initiative” that defines Queen’s.”

A revitalized Richardson Stadium would also be of benefit to the broader Kingston community, and the university is committed to consulting with neighbouring residents, city officials, and the local sports community as specific plans for the stadium are developed.

The Initiative Campaign is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the university’s history. The goal is to raise half a billion dollars to ensure Queen’s future as a destination for exceptional people. The campaign will nurture a supportive campus community, enhance the student learning experience, and secure a global reputation in discovery and inquiry.

A New Vision for Richardson Stadium

With the recent announcement of a $10-million pledge toward the revitalization of Richardson Stadium by alumnus Stu Lang, BSc’74 (Chemical Engineering), the dream of a modern stadium is now on its way to being realized.

A focal point of the Queen’s experience

For Queen’s grads, George Richardson Memorial Stadium evokes the vitality of their Queen’s experience and reminds them of the legendary school spirit that links the entire Queen’s community.

In particular, the success of our athletes reminds them of our continuing commitment to excellence in athletics and the importance of physical activity, health and wellness as an integral part of their personal development and success. More than just a venue for Gaels football – though perhaps best known and beloved for Saturday afternoons in the fall – Richardson Stadium has been a focal point at Queen’s and the backdrop for historic moments for almost a century.

The original facility was erected in 1921 on what is now called Tindall Field. Its successor, which opened on West Campus in 1972, was intended as a temporary structure. George Richardson Memorial Stadium has served the Queen’s and Kingston communities well. However, “Richardson” has reached the end of its useful life – the stadium has aged well, but now has significant infrastructure deficiencies and no longer meets the needs of today’s athletes, coaches and teams. Nor does it contain the necessities to support the experience of fans and spectators.

The time has come to revitalize the stadium and transform it into a modern facility – one that meets the needs of both a top-notch football program and of the more than 2,500 students and thousands of community members who participate annually in outdoor recreational/casual sport programs.

Health, wellness and community

More than just bricks and mortar, a revitalized Richardson Stadium will host students, alumni and members of the surrounding community, and provide signature experiences that speak to the importance of sport, recreation, fitness and physical activity as essential components of Queen’s life.

The multi-purpose facility, which will continue to be called Richardson Stadium, will also enrich Queen’s and Kingston by:

• providing student-athletes, coaches and support staff with quality on-field practice time and amenities that
  • support year-round training and competition
  • enable competitive performance and the recruitment of top student-athletes, and
  • affirm Queen’s vision of providing Canada’s top athletics and recreation program
• supporting new and exciting programming for Queen’s, and enhancing the experience of a wide variety of student groups, including men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse, the Queen’s Bands, cheerleaders, residence groups and other student clubs
• providing hosting opportunities at the provincial and national level for competitions ranging from the Vanier Cup to Canadian University Championships to international rugby, soccer and lacrosse matches
• supporting outreach programming, such as for high school and community football and soccer teams at the local and regional level
• strengthening relationships with leagues and other organizations from communities across Eastern Ontario by providing access to facilities that strengthen recreational and competitive experiences

A gift of honour

The original George Richardson Memorial Stadium construction involved student volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to help.

A gift of James Armstrong Richardson, Queen’s Chancellor from 1929 to 1939, it was named for his brother George Taylor Richardson, a prominent Queen’s athlete who was killed in France during the First World War. As an athlete, George was known for his sense of fair play, and as a military officer, as “a man who would never give an order he would not have himself executed willingly.” With this remarkable gift, George Taylor Richardson’s strength of character, decency, and sense of honour were attached to Queen’s in perpetuity.

As with the original facility, the revitalization of Richardson Stadium, will also be funded through philanthropy.

Photo credit:  Queen’s University

Source:  Queen’s Golden Gaels Sports Information