St. Thomas University on Aug. 24 celebrated its collaboration with AutoNation, which funded the school’s new scoreboard and turf athletic field that were unveiled that day.
The massive 50-foot by 32-foot scoreboard and AutoNation Field will serve student athletes who compete on multiple teams: Football; women’s flag football; men’s and women’s soccer; men’s and women’s rugby and women’s lacrosse. The ceremony drew elected officials and 1,800 students were welcomed back to campus. The university in Miami Gardens draws students from diverse backgrounds, the school said. Nearly half of the freshman class are first-generation college students, and 70 percent are eligible for federal Pell grants for those with financial need.
“Both the DRVPNK scoreboard and the new turf field are part of a bigger plan that the university and AutoNation have developed to ensure that we are producing winners in the classroom and on the field of play,” St. Thomas University President David A. Armstrong said in a press statement. He credited STU Trustee Marc Cannon, executive vice president and chief customer experience officer at AutoNation, for supporting improvements to the field and programs.
Shown in the photo at left are Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris; AutoNation Executive Vice President Marc Cannon; St. Thomas University President David A. Armstrong and Miami-Dade Dade County Vice Chairman and Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert, III. In the photo at right, St. Thomas University President David A. Armstrong greets guests. Photos courtesy of St. Thomas University.