With the completion of one project comes the beginning of another. Such is the case with the $1.2 million "More Than a Game" campaign, which came to fruition Saturday night, Aug. 28, with the first night football game on synthetic turf at Campbellsville University's Finley Stadium.

The campaign kicked off Sept. 25, 2009 at a special dinner featuring former Marshall University football coach Jack Lengyel, who helped restore the Thundering Herd program following a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the entire 1970 football team.

Lengyel returned to the CU campus for Saturday's first night game. As part of the halftime recognition, Citizens Bank & Trust President Mark Johnson joined with CU President Dr. Michael V. Carter, Board of Trustee President Jay Conner and Hollingsworth in presenting Lengyel with a golden switch to symbolize the throwing of the switch for the first night football game at Finley Stadium.

Following the presentation, Lengyel addressed the sold out crowd of more than 3,000.

"We'd like to thank the entire community for their great support. You've seen the dramatic change at this university, and the leadership that is provided by your president Dr. Michael Carter," said Lengyel to a cheering crowd. "This campaign is going to go on. We're going to continue it and build other things to make you prouder of this great university and your community."

The continuance Lengyel speaks off is the decision by the CU Board of Trustees to extend the campaign to amount since the original goal was reached in less than a year.

"It was great to reach our initial goal of $1.2 million in July when the deadline was September 30," said Rusty Hollingsworth, CU director of athletics."With the blessing of our board of trustees, we are extending the goal to $2 million dollars. While we have completed the turf and lights project, we still have many needs in athletics.We still have multiple naming opportunities at Finley Stadium and the Tiger baseball field."

The campaign began with a goal of $1.2 million for lights at Tiger Baseball Field and Finley Stadium, as well as synthetic turf on the surface of HIG Field at Finley Stadium. The gift that got the momentum rolling was a $500,000 donation by Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Campbellsville, followed by celebrity fundraising events such as a $41,000 sold out benefit concert by Country music legend Vince Gill in March and a fundraising dinner with Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus in April. Also, numerous donations have come in from individuals and corporate sponsorships.

One of those groups of donors was recognized before the second quarter Saturday. Four organizations have purchased a turf sponsorship panel, which will be displayed on the home sideline. The sponsors are Alex Montgomery, Community Trust Bank, H&W Sports Shop and the Tuggle-Morris Wellness Center.

Other special recognitions at the game included the welcoming of corporate sponsors Application Services, Atmos Energy, Campbellsville Apparel and Sherwin Williams, which were all guests at the Tiger Terrace tailgate. CU also welcomed back alumni from the 1970s and '80s for a special tailgate reunion.

Hollingsworth said he couldn't ask for a better night. The stadium bleacher seating holds 3,000 people and was full with hundreds of others sitting in lawn chairs or under tents down the fence lines of both end zones. The gate was so good, the athletic department actually ran out of its printed tickets.

"It was a great night for Tiger athletics and the entire campus community. We are blessed to have such loyal supporters and fans," Hollingsworth said. "To have Jack and Sandy Lengyel back on campus to help us celebrate was also a real honor for CU."

Special recognitions for the campaign will continue through the 2010 season.

Fore more information on the "More Than a Game" campaign and photo updates from the year, click here.


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