Donors assist in groundbreaking
Ceremony marks start of Kirkeby-Over Stadium construction

By Marit Karbowski

Mirror Sports Co-Editor
November 30, 2007

“This is for the kids and thank you,” said Bob and Kari Hall, donors of Augustana’s future Kirkeby-Over (K.O.) football stadium, as they dug their spades into the dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The ceremony was held under a large tent at the future site of the football stadium on Friday, Nov. 16. The stadium will be located south of the left field fence of the Ronken Field, located near the Elmen Center.

Ann Pederson, professor of religion, began the ceremony with a prayer. President Rob Oliver joined the Halls in the actual groundbreaking.

According to head football coach Brad Salem, 20 to 30 football players attended the ceremony, along with Augustana faculty, students and fans.

“The groundbreaking is making the football stadium a reality,” Salem said. “We are all very excited that we will actually have a football stadium on our campus.”

A new drawing of the football stadium was unveiled, which shows the complex from the north-south direction.

Brief speakers at the event included Oliver; Salem; athletic director Bill Grosss; sophomore football player Chris Janisch; Dana Dykhouse, president of First Premier Bank, who represented the Sioux Falls Development Foundation; Mayor Dave Munson, who represented the city of Sioux Falls; Augustana Board of Trustees representative Dennis Anderson and Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce President Dean Buckenberg.

According to Gross, the next step is site construction, weather permitting. Accelerated construction will begin in spring 2008.

The K.O. stadium is expected to hold more than 6,500 fans upon completion. Augustana officials hope construction will be finished in time for the Viking Days homecoming game in fall 2008.