Dear Southeast Missouri State University community, 
 
Houck Field is one of the most identifiable landmarks in Southeast Missouri. Countless memories have been made at Houck, and the stadium has served us well.  For years, fans have filled the stadium to cheer on our Football and Soccer programs.Fans have watched countless victories, celebrated conference championships, and even witnessed history as our Football program won its first-ever NCAA playoff game. 
 
However, for the last several years we have also spoken openly about the failing infrastructure and need for renovation of Houck Field, which turns 91 years old this year. As a result, we have been monitoring the condition of the seating structures and operational areas within the stadium. Prior structural assessments have demonstrated significant deterioration of the concrete bleacher structure of the stadium's south grandstand, making it impractical to believe that structural repairs are feasible.
 
Unfortunately, a recent structural assessment has revealed the stadium's south grandstand structure has surpassed its original useful life and the rate of deterioration of the concrete structure has accelerated. The safety of our fans is of utmost importance and, as a result, we have made the difficult decision to cease use of the south grandstand and press box area of our stadium. This decision will result in modified game-day operations and reduced spectator capacity for the fall 2021 season. Additional details for fans will be shared in a separate communication.
 
We now look to the future with a heightened sense of urgency to rebuild this facility. In anticipation of the need to complete a renovation, we contracted with Hollis + Miller, an architecture and design firm, to begin developing conceptual designs for a stadium renovation. Those designs were completed in August 2019 and have served as the focal point of our plans to launch a capital campaign for Athletics. Once complete, a renovated stadium will create a great environment in which our student-athletes will train and compete, a first-rate venue that will attract top quality student-athletes to our university, and a unique game-day atmosphere for you, our fans. A reimagined Houck Field has the ability to bring more fans to this region and signify a stronger, healthier university. 
 
Our work with Hollis + Miller has continued in earnest, and several scenarios they've developed indicate a new structure could be in place by the start of the fall 2022 season. This would be ambitious, and it may include multiple phases.  Several questions exist and additional information is needed before we can fully assess how to proceed. That said, we are cautiously optimistic about the opportunity ahead of us. In the weeks ahead we will continue to engage with Hollis + Miller and we will keep you updated.  
 
The rebuilding of the stadium will not be possible without the support of our fans, our alumni, and our community and we ask you to come alongside us as we work to create a lasting future for our university. We need you to see what we see: that an investment in this institution will always be returned many times over and extend far beyond intercollegiate athletics.
 
Athletics has a storied history of success, both athletically and academically. It is a tradition that runs deep and carries with it a great sense of pride for our university, our alumni, and our community. We are currently experiencing unprecedented success, capped off by the first ever Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Cup Award in 2021, and there is no better time to invest in our long-term success.
 
Thank you for believing in the value of intercollegiate athletics at Southeast Missouri State University and for your continued support.
 
S-E!
 
Sincerely, 
 
Carlos Vargas               Brady Barke                       
University President      Director of Athletics