Dec 1, 2025
PROJECT PLANNED — David Hendrickson, chairman of the board of trustees at Wheeling University, addresses the crowd at the McDonough Center on Tuesday during the announcement of WU’s athletic complex renovation project. — Derek Redd
WHEELING — Wheeling University wants to renovate Bishop Schmitt Field to the tune of $2 million and — thanks to a pair of local businesses — it got halfway there the day it announced the fundraising campaign.
Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration and WesBanco each pledged $500,000 to the cause Tuesday, which includes replacing the athletic field’s turf, resurfacing the track that surrounds it and adding a videoboard. Wheeling University officials were joined by officials from Panhandle and WesBanco, as well as Bishop Mark Brennan of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese, as they announced the fundraising campaign and the major donations.
“These gifts provide our students with the opportunity to showcase their talents in an impressive venue and to compete at the highest levels,” Wheeling University President Dianna Vargo said. “We are grateful not only for your generous contribution to our outdoor athletic complex, but also for creating a spark that launches our ‘Light the Way’ campaign.”
Bishop Schmitt Field’s artificial turf is at the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced, university Athletic Director Carrie Hanna said. In resurfacing the track, the university will be able to bring back areas for field events that were eliminated during a previous renovation. That will allow Wheeling University to once again host track and field meets.
The university’s outdoor athletic complex is used by several groups in the community. Wheeling Central Catholic High School plays its football games there. St. Michael Parish School uses the track for its annual Angel Walk fundraiser. And once the track is resurfaced, Hanna said the university wants the Special Olympics to return to campus.
Officials from Panhandle and WesBanco talked about how excited they were for the project and how important it was for their respective businesses to contribute.
“We are honored to be able to participate in this great event that will help to improve all aspects of Wheeling University and the surrounding communities,” said Robert Contraguerro Jr., vice president of Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration. “This outdoor stadium complex will be used constantly, not only for university events, but for other community events throughout the year, making this investment a true improvement for the university, the city of Wheeling and the surrounding area.”
“Wheeling University is an important part of the fabric of our region, educating future leaders and strengthening our community,” said Michael Mistovich, senior vice president at WesBanco. “Our contribution will help renovate the outdoor stadium complex, creating a space that brings students, alumni and community members together, will enhance the student experience and foster community connections.”
These donations will include naming rights to the complex for both Panhandle and WesBanco. Ricky Moore, associate vice president for development at Wheeling University, said the late Bishop Bernard Schmitt’s name will remain on the complex and both Panhandle and WesBanco will be added. How the names will be situated is still in the works.
David Hendrickson, chairman of the Wheeling University Board of Trustees, became emotional as he thanked everyone who made Tuesday’s announcement possible. It was a testament, he said, to the efforts that so many have put in to fortify Wheeling University and steer it toward the future.
“In the not-too-distant past, many were writing this school off,” he said. “They said it wasn’t going to survive. Well, guess what? They didn’t understand what Wheeling University is all about. They didn’t understand the spirit. They didn’t understand the standards this school sets and how hard everybody works.”
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