Eastern Washington gets $5M Donation for Football Stadium

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) — Eastern Washington University has received the largest individual donation in school history, a $5 million gift aimed at renovating its football stadium.

The donation came from businessman Jack Gillingham of Cheney. Gillingham called it a rallying cry intended to spur more gifts towards the $25 million project.

The university's board approved the project earlier this month, but all the money must be privately raised because the school is prohibited from using state funds or student fees on athletic facilities.

Eastern Washington has a high-powered football program that reached the FCS national championship game last season. But 52-year-old Roos Field is showing its age. The school wants to install better seats, improve sight lines and add more restrooms and concession stands.

The red turf will be replaced, but will remain red.