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Facilities
Bearcat Stadium/Herschel Neil Track/Mel Tjeerdsma Field
CLICK HERE for Bearcat Stadium seating chart
Northwest Missouri State University's football and track and field facility has been called Bearcat Stadium since 2004. This beautiful, state-of-the-art facility, called "the crown jewel of the MIAA" by the Kansas City Star, was formerly known as Rickenbrode Stadium.
Bearcat Stadium is the longest-running continuous site for football in all of NCAA Division II. No other stadium in Division II has played host to its team's game for as long.
The Bearcats' athletic field was first located behind the Administration Building. But in 1913, the team's game were moved to the field at the current site.
In 1917, construction was completed at the new field and it was named Memorial Stadium. The facility was re-named Rickenbrode Stadium in 1961 by University President J.W. Jones. It was named Rickenbrode Stadium in honor of long-time Northwest employee and Bearcat supporter William Rickenbrode. For nearly 44 years, the facility was named Rickenbrode.
In 2007, renovations began on the field for an upgrade to synthetic turf and lights. Switching to synthetic turf and adding lights will allow the University to open the field to a variety of activities year-round. On June 28, the Board of Regents gave unanimous approval to have the new field named "Mel Tjeerdsma Field."
In 2000, the first of a wave of major changes to the stadium took place. The east grandstand was completely rebuilt. This project was funded solely by Northwest students.
The renovations weren't finished, however. Following the 2001 season, demolition of the west grandstand and construction of the new west side had begun. The Bearcats played the 2002 season with temporary bleachers and a temporary press seating area.
In 2003, the new-and-improved stadium was unveiled. The new construction included an increased seating capacity on the west stide, chairback and railback seating, 10 luxury suites, a spacious and functional press area and a new scoreboard, complete with a video board.
The most recent set of renovations was funded entirely by privated funds. Some of these private funds were behind the re-naming of the stadium in 2004.
A small group of anonymous donors wished to give a generous donation to the stadium project. They did not want to be identified. Instead, their wish was that the stadium honor everyone who was involved with making the facility what it is today.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 6,500, with room for thousands more near the endzones. The site was host of the 2006 NCAA Division II Semifinal Football game between Northwest and Bloomsburg (Pa.) on Dec. 10, marking the first night game since 1977 and the first nationally televised game featuring ESPNU.
Bearcat Arena and Lamkin Activity Center
CLICK HERE for Bearcat Arena seating chart
The home of the Northwest men's and women's basketball programs and Bearcat volleyball program, Bearcat Arena has a seating capacity of 2,500 spectators. The facility also houses annual University commencement ceremonies and professional concerts as well as the practice facilities for the indoor track and field teams.
Bearcat Arena was constructed as Lamkin Gymnasium in 1959, replacing Martindale Gymnasium as the home of Northwest basketball. The facility underwent a $6 million renovation in the 1993-94 academic year with additions to the south and north of the original building. The south side received a new facade that included a fitness center in the basement, an expanded lobby and concourse on the first floor and coaches offices on the second floor. The Student Recreation Center was built onto the north side, featuring three basketball courts, five raquetball courts, a suspended jogging track and weight-lifting equipment.
Bearcat Baseball Field
Located northwest of Bearcat Stadium, the Bearcat Baseball Field was constructed in 1968 and has a seating capacity of 200.
Bearcat Softball Field
The Northwest softball program moved from Beal Park to the Bearcat Softball Field in 1996. The facility has a seating capacity of 250.
Frank Grube and High Rise Tennis Courts
The Frank Grube Tennis Courts are the primary practice and event facility for the Northwest tennis teams. Located north of the Robert P. Foster Aquatic Center, the tennis courts have a seating capacity of 100. The High Rise Tennis Courts, located west of the baseball field and south of the softball field, also seats 100. The facilities have played host to numerous regional ITA and NCAA tournaments.
Bearcat Pitch
The home of Northwest women's soccer, Bearcat Pitch was constructed in 1999 for the inaugural season of Bearcat soccer. The facility can seat 200 and features a weather-protected press area.
Bearcat Weight Room
The weight room is located in the basement of Lamkin Activity Center. With over 3,000 square feet of space available, it allows nearly 750 student-athletes to work out comfortably. The Bearcat Booster Club recently provided over $100,000 for 10 Power Lift Collegiate Half Racks, making the weight room one of the best in Division II. The multi-use racks enable Northwest student-athletes to perform nearly all of their lifts in one area. The area adjacent to the weight room is used by all teams for warm up and various exercises.
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