The morning of March 8 marked an important event in Lancaster Bible College athletics and college history. During a 9:15 a.m. ceremony, the college officially broke ground on a new stadium at Donald H. Funk Field, a project that has been in the works for many months.

The lead gift for the project was provided by Willis and Martha Herr. In early February, a student-led group hosted a "Yes We Can" Day of Giving that raised over $20,000 toward the project. Later that week, a gift arrived at the college, completing the funding for the project so that construction on the Willis & Martha Herr Stadium could begin in mid-March. Since the Day of Giving, students have raised another $35,000 through individual gifts and business partnerships, for a student-raised total of more than $55,000.

During the ceremony taking place between Donald H. Funk Field and Olewine Dining Commons, Tyler Norris, Class of 2021, and Hope Privitera, Class of 2020, who helped lead the student fundraising efforts, were joined by LBC | Capital president Thomas L. Kiedis, athletic director Pete Beers and vice president of institutional alignment the Rev. Zachary Ritvalsky, who served as master of ceremonies.

Kiedis personally thanked the group of student leaders who spearheaded the fundraising committee. Besides Norris and Privitera, the group included Zachary Keating, Class of 2021; Rheeana Miles, Class of 2020; Hannah Moynihan, Class of 2023; and Nathan Muckle, Class of 2022.

Official groundbreakers and shovel-turners during the ceremony included Kiedis, Norris, Privitera and Beers, along with Fiffer and Alan Raush, daughter and son-in-law of Willis and Martha Herr; LBC | Capital trustee Larry Rohrer; provost Tricia Wilson; president emeritus Peter W. Teague; vice president of advancement Scott Keating; Keith Ebersole of Speedwell Construction; and Dennis Funk, representing the Donald H. Funk family and D.H. Funk & Sons. Additionally, the college welcomed Angie Eichelberger representing state Sen. Scott Martin's office and several LBC | Capital board and corporation members.

Donald H. Funk Field opened in September 2018. Men's and women's soccer teams play on the field, as do the field hockey and women's lacrosse teams. In addition to those four Division III teams, many other squads utilize the field during the winter months.

The field has been used for intramural sports as well, and many club teams around the Lancaster area have also used the space, thus bringing the local community to campus, too.

Willis & Martha Herr Stadium will include seating along one side of the field, as well as a brand-new façade along the back side of the bleachers, allowing for even more events to be held at the field. Construction on the stadium was scheduled to begin the week of March 15, with a goal of completion in time for the fall 2021 sports seasons.

The event was livestreamed on the Chargers Sports Network, where 125 people or groups watched the ceremony virtually.