GIFT TO BENEFIT SOUTHEAST ATHLETIC COMPLEX; FACILITY TO CARRY ROSENGARTEN NAME

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Marvin Rosengarten has an added incentive to secure the funds necessary for Southeast Missouri State University's new athletic complex.

"I have to make sure we get the rest of the money for the complex or there won't be any place to put the name on it," quipped Southeast's director of athletic development.

Southeast Missouri State President Kala Stroup announced at a press conference Friday that the athletic complex will be named in Rosengarten's honor.

Stroup also used the moment to thank a couple who have provided a "six-figure gift" toward the money needed to begin construction on the new complex.

The donors' names were not disclosed, nor was the amount of the donation.

The plan to enhance athletic facilities at Southeast carries a $1.6 million price tag. The new athletic complex has an estimated cost of $1 million. There is also some $600,000 needed to make cosmetic changes to Houck Stadium.

Said Stroup, "The generous donor asked that the amount and the name of the person giving the money not be revealed in order to keep the focus directly on the New Vision of Excellence campaign."

The new Marvin Rosengarten Athletic Complex will be built adjacent to existing football practice facilities and will be accessible from Sprigg Street.

The complex will include modern sports medicine facilities, a new state-of-the-art weight-training facility, meeting rooms and an academic services center.

"With the $805,000 already raised before today's donation, we're well on our way to achieving the $1.6 million needed for such a project," said Stroup.

"This is such a great university to be associated with," said Rosengarten. "It's a tremendous honor to have your name on anything connected with a university such as this one. I was a head coach in track here, but my first love will always be with football."

A former football player and assistant football coach at Southeast, Rosengarten served as athletic director from 1979-89. During Rosengarten's tenure as athletic director, Southeast teams claimed 68 Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles, three national team championships and several NCAA regional championships.

"In the 10 years prior to Marvin Rosengarten becoming athletic director, Southeast won only 16 MIAA championships," said Stroup.

Under Rosengarten's guidance, Southeast's athletic funding climbed from $32,000 in 1979 to over $530,000 in 1990. The Abe Stuber Endowment Fund, started by Rosengarten in 1987, has escalated to $500,000 in just four years. Booster Club membership has climbed from 225 members in 1979 to over 900 members in 1991.

"You don't do something like this on your own," stressed Rosengarten, who enjoyed considerable success as head track and cross country coach at Southeast.

Rosengarten developed 19 All-Americans.

During his tenure as athletic director, Southeast garnered a total of 225 All-American awards, including the institution's first four academic All-Americans.

"I had a lot of help from boosters, coaches, the administration and the school's president," said the Southeast director of development. "Some people who really influenced me while I've been here are Les Cochran, Bob Foster and now our president, Kala Stroup.

"It takes hard work and commitment from a lot of people to achieve success. I was fortunate enough to be around those kind of people."

Rosengarten will retire in December.

Southeast Athletic Director Richard McDuffie indicated the sizable donation moves the university one step closer to its Division I vision of excellence.

"This is something that will not only benefit the football program, but all of the athletic programs at this university," said McDuffie.

"The sports medicine facility will help all of our athletes and a new weight room will help us do a better job of preventing injuries from happening in the first place," said McDuffie.

Indian head football coach John Mumford believes the new complex will enhance his recruiting efforts significantly.

"With this kind of project in the works, we have something to show the athletes already here and also those who are potential recruits," said Mumford. "It shows everybody that this university is committed to the move to Division I and also to achieving athletic excellence."