In a Daviess County Board of Education meeting Tuesday, the district announced it is working toward a contract that would allow Brescia University to use the new athletic facilities currently under construction at Apollo High School. Specifically, the contract with Brescia is based on their exclusive use of the Apollo stadium for track and field events and practice.
DCPS Superintendent Matt Robbins said the contract is based on assigning an equivalent value to the capital expense for the track.
“The contract is a 5-year contract, totaling $150,000,” Robbins said. “The contract also includes a pro-rata share of any maintenance costs incurred at 20 percent of the total maintenance cost on the track.”
According to Robbins, Brescia will submit a proposed plan for practice and events to DCPS and Apollo. Both schools will work together agree upon a final plan for scheduling, Robbins said.
Brescia University Sports Information Director and Head Track and Field Coach Luke Stoffel said the university partnered with Apollo because the Brescia track and field team has practiced there for the last two years.
“It will add a level to the track and field program that there hasn’t been in the past,” Stoffel said. “From a recruiting standpoint, being able to have that facility will be nice. When we get recruits on campus, we’ll be able to take them out there and show them around. I see it as being a benefit in a lot of ways.”
Stoffel says a steeplechase pit and barriers will be added and all mats and other equipment will be upgraded to NCAA standards because of this partnership.
According to Robbins, Brescia is an existing partner with DCPS and the two have an excellent relationship.
“We both have mutual needs and rather than duplicating effort and costs, we can work together and be much more efficient,” Robbins said. “This is a large investment for DCPS and partnerships like this one help make this more affordable and achievable.”
