IU Athletics Celebrates Naming of Deborah Tobias Field as the Home of IU Field Hockey
10/20/2022 4:44:00 PM | Field Hockey, Varsity Club
Bloomington, Indiana –IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson was joined by benefactors Deborah and Randall Tobias, members of the IU Field Hockey program, and other athletic department officials Thursday to officially celebrate the naming of Deborah Tobias Field as the home of IU Field Hockey.
Deborah Tobias Field is named in recognition of two of IU Athletics most loyal and generous supporters. Among other things, the couple's recent gift was utilized for a series of renovations to IU Field Hockey's home facility, including the installation of the new Hockey Gold system playing surface. It is also a signature gift toward IU Athletics' Women's Excellence Initiative, an effort announced by Dolson in 2021 which goes exclusively to supporting IU's 13 women's sports programs and enhancing the student-athlete experience for IU's 300-plus varsity female student-athletes.
"Deborah and Randy have a shared desire to dramatically impact the opportunities for all Indiana University student-athletes, and this is the latest example of that commitment," said Dolson. "We are pleased to be able to celebrate this special day with both of them in attendance, enabling them to see firsthand the difference they continue to make for our students and our department."
"Randy and I both have a tremendous love for Indiana University and IU Athletics, and we are thrilled to be able to do this so that others can enjoy life-changing experiences through their involvement with this great university and athletic department," said Deborah Tobias. "This is a special place with special people who are committed to providing the very best for all IU student-athletes. That commitment to supporting all student-athletes is especially apparent through Scott's vision with the Women's Excellence Initiative, and we are excited that our gift will go toward helping our female student-athletes fulfill their potential, both on and off the field."
Located immediately southwest of Bill Armstrong Stadium, Deborah Tobias Field has been the home of IU Field Hockey since 2007. In addition to the new certified Category 3 playing surface made possible by the Tobias gift, the venue is also equipped with a Nelson Water Cannon system that enables the playing surface to be watered for play in less than 30 minutes. The facility also includes the Ireland Family Fieldhouse, which houses the IU team's locker room, meeting room and storage space.
"We are so grateful for the contributions of Deborah and Randy Tobias," said IU Field Hockey Coach Kayla Bashore. "The team's identity is strengthened by this gift and further establishes our field within the IU community. To celebrate and meet with the Tobias family today has given our team an even greater sense of pride and commitment to the program."
Deborah Tobias Field is just the more recent of a long line of IU Athletics capital projects that the Tobiases have played a significant role in making a reality. Among their other philanthropic efforts in support of IU Athletics are:
A former member and chair of the IU Board of Trustees, Randall is retired chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company. Prior to his work at Lilly, he was vice chairman of AT&T and chairman and CEO of its subsidiaries, AT&T Communications and AT&T International. Following his corporate career, Randall was appointed the nation's first United States Global AIDS Coordinator with the rank of Ambassador. Later, he became the first Director of United States Foreign Assistance and Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the rank of Deputy Secretary of State.
Randall has served on the boards of a number of global companies including AT&T and Eli Lilly and Company, as well as ConocoPhillips, Kimberly-Clark, Knight-Ridder, Agilent Technologies and Chemical Bank of New York. He also served as the chairman of the board of the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
Deborah Tobias Field is named in recognition of two of IU Athletics most loyal and generous supporters. Among other things, the couple's recent gift was utilized for a series of renovations to IU Field Hockey's home facility, including the installation of the new Hockey Gold system playing surface. It is also a signature gift toward IU Athletics' Women's Excellence Initiative, an effort announced by Dolson in 2021 which goes exclusively to supporting IU's 13 women's sports programs and enhancing the student-athlete experience for IU's 300-plus varsity female student-athletes.
"Deborah and Randy have a shared desire to dramatically impact the opportunities for all Indiana University student-athletes, and this is the latest example of that commitment," said Dolson. "We are pleased to be able to celebrate this special day with both of them in attendance, enabling them to see firsthand the difference they continue to make for our students and our department."
"Randy and I both have a tremendous love for Indiana University and IU Athletics, and we are thrilled to be able to do this so that others can enjoy life-changing experiences through their involvement with this great university and athletic department," said Deborah Tobias. "This is a special place with special people who are committed to providing the very best for all IU student-athletes. That commitment to supporting all student-athletes is especially apparent through Scott's vision with the Women's Excellence Initiative, and we are excited that our gift will go toward helping our female student-athletes fulfill their potential, both on and off the field."
Located immediately southwest of Bill Armstrong Stadium, Deborah Tobias Field has been the home of IU Field Hockey since 2007. In addition to the new certified Category 3 playing surface made possible by the Tobias gift, the venue is also equipped with a Nelson Water Cannon system that enables the playing surface to be watered for play in less than 30 minutes. The facility also includes the Ireland Family Fieldhouse, which houses the IU team's locker room, meeting room and storage space.
"We are so grateful for the contributions of Deborah and Randy Tobias," said IU Field Hockey Coach Kayla Bashore. "The team's identity is strengthened by this gift and further establishes our field within the IU community. To celebrate and meet with the Tobias family today has given our team an even greater sense of pride and commitment to the program."
Deborah Tobias Field is just the more recent of a long line of IU Athletics capital projects that the Tobiases have played a significant role in making a reality. Among their other philanthropic efforts in support of IU Athletics are:
- Tobias Nutrition Center - a state-of-the-art, 14,743-square foot dining and nutrition facility housed in the Excellence Academy building. In addition to fulfilling the nutritional needs of IU's 600-plus student-athletes, the Tobias Nutrition Center also serves as a hospitality area for the IU Varsity Club's Hoosier Hundred, Athlete, Scholar, and Champion donors on IU Football gamedays.
- Tobias Champions Locker Room – a new premiere hospitality area residing on the court level in the southwest tunnel of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
- Randall L. Tobias Basketball Scholarship – endowed scholarship for a member of the IU Men's Basketball program
- Randall Tobias Men's Basketball Locker Room in Cook Hall – dedicated locker room space located inside IU's indoor basketball practice facility.
A former member and chair of the IU Board of Trustees, Randall is retired chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company. Prior to his work at Lilly, he was vice chairman of AT&T and chairman and CEO of its subsidiaries, AT&T Communications and AT&T International. Following his corporate career, Randall was appointed the nation's first United States Global AIDS Coordinator with the rank of Ambassador. Later, he became the first Director of United States Foreign Assistance and Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the rank of Deputy Secretary of State.
Randall has served on the boards of a number of global companies including AT&T and Eli Lilly and Company, as well as ConocoPhillips, Kimberly-Clark, Knight-Ridder, Agilent Technologies and Chemical Bank of New York. He also served as the chairman of the board of the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
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