Sanders Donates Additional $6 Million to Complete Jane Sanders Stadium Project
EUGENE, Ore. – University of Oregon alum Bob Sanders has donated an additional $6 million to complete the Jane Sanders Stadium project, athletics director Rob Mullens announced on Tuesday.
After receiving an initial donation of $10 million from Sanders to build a new softball stadium honoring his late wife Jane, the Oregon athletics department started fundraising to meet the estimated project total of $16.5 million approved by the UO Board of Trustees in February. Sanders generously stepped forward and made a second donation.
“Mr. Sanders has made this dream a reality for our softball program,” said Mullens. “Under head coach Mike White, our softball program has grown into a national power, deserving of a new facility. Mr. Sanders’ generosity and passion for Oregon athletics will allow us to continue to provide an exceptional student experience and dramatically improve the softball fan experience. And most importantly, this great facility will honor Jane Sanders.”
Bob and Jane met at the UO, where Bob, class of 1951, was a fullback on the football team and 
Jane, class of 1950, was a cheerleader. Bob and Jane Sanders enjoyed great success in the lumber industry, with businesses in California, Oregon and Washington.
The Ducks will tear down Howe Field at the end of the 2015 season and will construct Jane Sanders Stadium in its place. The stadium will be ready for the Ducks’ first home game in 2016.
In addition to Sanders’ $16 million gift, former softball head coach and UO administrator Becky Sisley announced a matching gift challenge for the stadium fund on May 1. Sisley will match all other donations, up to $200,000, for the stadium project until Oct. 1. Contact the Duck Athletic Fund in Eugene (541-346-5433) or Portland (503-412-3684) to make a donation.
Jane Sanders Stadium will feature 1,500 permanent seats with room to add up to 1,000 more seats with outfield bleachers for postseason games. A team meeting room, locker room, film room, training room and other amenities will be built under the concourse while an indoor practice facility with batting cages will be constructed down the third base line.
Howe Field was originally built in 1936 as the home of Oregon baseball and was converted to a softball stadium in 1987. The athletics department has announced SRG as the architect and Howard S. Wright as the general contractor.
