KBS Construction donates $1M to help fund new soccer facility for

Daily Reporter (Milwaukee), Jun 8, 2007 by Sean Ryan

Marquette University is launching a campaign to fund and build a new soccer stadium in Milwaukee after receiving a $1 million gift from KBS Construction Inc.

"Two of my greatest loves are Marquette and soccer," KBS chairman Dennis Klein said in a Thursday press release announcing the donation. "My wife and I recognize the important and positive role interscholastic sports can play in a young person's life, and we are pleased to have this opportunity to help develop a premiere soccer facility for Marquette."

The roughly $5 million project will build a new stadium on the Menomonee Valley site of Marquette's Valley Fields in Milwaukee. The natural-grass field will have partially covered spectator seating, locker and meeting rooms and concessions.

The university hopes to get enough donations to cover the budget by the end of the year and begin construction after the final match of the fall. It hopes to open the stadium in September 2008.

"The Klein family's gift provides significant momentum toward the construction of a first-class soccer facility and further demonstrates Marquette University's commitment to excellence in soccer," said Steve Cottingham, interim athletic director. "The impact of this gift will be felt by student-athletes for years to come, and we are truly grateful."

Both Klein and his wife, Barbara, are graduates of Marquette's College of Business Administration.