The Fastpitch Chronicle

6/3/2015 | General

Madison College and the Goodman Foundation announced today (June 3, 2015) a $6 million dollar donation that will be used to renovate the college's existing softball and soccer fields to create the Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex on the Madison College Truax campus. The gift represents the largest financial contribution in the school's 103-year history and the largest donation awarded by the Goodman Foundation. 

Renovation of the complex is expected to begin in Spring 2016 and will be completed later that fall. The complex will become the home field for the Madison College men's and women's soccer and softball teams. It will also become a destination for community sporting activities such as summer camps for disadvantaged youth, state-wide softball and soccer tournaments and other events. Madison College's Athletic Department will also work closely with community centers on Madison's East Side to engage youth in sports and educational-enrichment activities. 

Jack Daniels, President of Madison College, lauded the announcement as a "touchstone moment" for the college and the greater Madison community. "The gift - the investment - we celebrate today will return dividends that are measured not in dollars, but by the number of individuals who gain from it." 

E.G. Schramka, executive director of the Goodman Foundation, says the contribution realizes the vision of Robert "Bob" Goodman, one of the namesakes of the foundation and a legendary local softball player whose credits include being named among the best all-time outfielders by the Wisconsin State Journal, induction into the Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame and service on the National Olympic Committee. 

"Bob's dream, shared by his brother Irwin, was to fund a major sports complex that would serve the Madison community in a positive way. This was an important gift he wanted to leave to the citizens of his beloved city, especially children participating in softball." 

Though the Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex is an athletic facility, Daniels is quick to acknowledge the significance of athletics as a springboard to college. He says participating in sports helps young people develop skills that benefit them in the pursuit of a college education. 

"Participating in sports teaches young people how to organize their time, helps them develop social skills and instills in them the value of good sportsmanship and fair play. It also teaches them how to fall down, make mistakes and rebound with grace," Daniels said. "They also develop an appreciation for coaching and mentorship. The life skills learned on the field are the same life skills that will make them successful in college." 

Renderings 
Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex - Aerial View[Web View PDF] - Large PDF File 
Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex - Venue Entrance[Web View PDF] - Large PDF File 

Links 
Madison College Athletics Website 
Madison College Website 
Goodman Brothers Donor Spotlight 
Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex - Madison College Athletic webpage 

Site Location 
3300 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704 

Video of the announcement ceremonies will be posted after the event