Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine and University of Maine Foundation announced today plans for the state-of-the-art New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex, made possible by a $7 million commitment from New Balance Athletics.
The contribution is part of the fundraising campaign underway to meet the challenge grant for UMaine athletics as part of the UMS TRANSFORMS initiative, funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation.
The $7 million gift is the second major gift made by New Balance to Maine Athletics as the organization made a $5 million commitment in 2011 with a portion of the gift going to support renovations to the New Balance Field House. The 2011 contribution also aided the development of the New Balance Student Recreation and Fitness Center.
Along with the gift, New Balance and the University of Maine will partner for a newly developed 'Future Scholars' endowed scholarship in the amount of $2,500 annually. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a graduate of Skowhegan Area High School, with preference but not limited to youth of New Balance associates, who plan to attend one of seven universities within the University of Maine System.
"We appreciate New Balance's generosity and their confidence in UMaine's Division I athletic program," says Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President of the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias. "We also share a commitment to prioritizing accessibility, equity, and community use and involvement at the highest levels with this new complex. Generous gifts like this one from New Balance help support infrastructure and create modern facilities necessary to serve students and the state and we are grateful."
The project will feature a state-of-the-art soccer turf complex adjacent to a modernized track along with brand new spaces for field competition. Also located inside the track will be a multipurpose area to provide additional support for athletics and community events. The addition of the new complex will improve UMaine's ADA access and parking for its athletics footprint.
Based in Boston, New Balance is a leading global athletic brand that proudly owns three athletic footwear manufacturing facilities in the Maine towns of Norridgewock, Norway and Skowhegan.
"On behalf of our Maine associates, we are thrilled to support the University of Maine through this new, world-class sports complex that will benefit campus athletes as well as community and youth organizations for training and competition, says Joe Preston, President & CEO at New Balance. "This exciting initiative builds on the success of New Balance's strong, historic alliance with the University, and reflects our focus on advancing public/private partnerships that benefit our valued communities."
The New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex will further UMaine's commitment to providing support to maintain excellence in the state's only Division I athletics program, strengthen gender equity, and provide a preferred destination for high school sports championships, competitions, and community events.
"We value the longtime support and generosity that New Balance has provided to Maine Athletics," says UMaine Director of Athletics, Jude Killy. "This gift is another remarkable display of their dedication to supporting our student-athletes and the community of Maine. This facility will provide championship caliber resources for our women's soccer and all of our track & field student-athletes, specifically, while also supplying additional state-of-the-art facilities for our university and the youth of our state. Thank you to New Balance for the continued support in making all of this possible."
"New Balance has been a loyal corporate philanthropic partner," says UMaine Foundation President/CEO, Jeff Mills. "Their support has made and will continue to make a lasting impact on all Maine athletes from recreational and community levels to Division I."
About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, has the following purpose: Independent since 1906, we empower people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. Manufactured in the U.S. for more than 75 years and representing a limited portion of our U.S. sales, New Balance MADE U.S. is a premium collection that contains a domestic value of 70% or greater. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs 8,000 associates around the globe, and in 2022 reported worldwide sales of $5.3 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com.
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