The center of Bulldog athletic activity has a new name – Holman Fieldhouse. The renaming marks the completion of a major renovation and addition to the former Sport Center and honors the family that supported the expansion project.
In 2022, McPherson College announced the first-ever seven-figure gift made to Bulldog Athletics by Craig and Karen Holman of McPherson. The gift totaled more than $1 million for the expansion and remodeling of the Sport Center as part of the Building Community comprehensive fundraising campaign.
The athletic expansion and renovation project added over 5,200 square feet to the former Sport Center facility and remodeled another 5,000 square of existing space. The expansion included an all-new athletic training room complete with treatment tables, taping stations, four whirlpools, an exam room, and three offices. It also more than doubled the size of the existing weight room and includes brand new state-of-the-art weight training machines and equipment. The renovation added lockers to the existing football locker room, increased storage space, and updated the existing weight room. The project was completed in February.
“It’s exciting to have this state-of-the-art athletic facility available for our students when we are competing to win in every sport,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “I am grateful to the Holmans for their long-time support of Bulldog athletics and their significant support for future student-athletes.”
Craig and the couple’s children are McPherson College graduates. While at McPherson College, Craig was an outstanding tennis player. He won conference singles, was District 10 singles championships three times, and was selected for the all-conference team all four years. He serves the McPherson community as a financial advisor, owning an Ameriprise Financial practice. Craig is a McPherson College Board of Trustees member and serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bulldog tennis teams. Karen has served the community as a registered nurse and helped instruct those seeking to become licensed practical nurses. She is a volunteer at Lincoln Elementary and plays the violin.
The Holman family has been loyal supporters of McPherson area tennis, particularly the Bulldog tennis program funding the Holman Family Tennis Courts on campus.
“The expansion and renovation of our athletic facilities has already paid great dividends in recruiting and is a tremendous asset to our current student-athletes and coaches,” said Josh Daume, McPherson College athletic director. “This has greatly enhanced the student-athlete experience at McPherson College, and we are truly thankful for the generosity of the Holman family in making this project a reality.”
As part of the Homecoming Campus Tour on Saturday, October 19 from 9-10:30 a.m., the Holmans will be in the main lobby of Holman Fieldhouse to visit with alumni and community members. Visitors can view the renovations to Holman Fieldhouse at that time.