The University of Saint Francis football program, which recently completed its 26th season of thrilling fans and competing for championships, is due for a much-needed overhaul of the Tom Jehl Football Complex locker room at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium.

To make the needed changes, the Saint Francis football program set a goal of raising $600,000 for this project through the contributions of football alumni, fans and supporters.

As players and fans know, a locker room is more than just a compartment to store uniforms and equipment and meet before and after games. A great locker room invites camaraderie, teamwork, collaboration and well-being. High-quality facilities also attract student-athletes who visit the campus during the recruiting process. It is vital for Saint Francis to possess state-of-the-art spaces to compete with other programs around Indiana, the Midwest and beyond.

“The locker room project is exciting and necessary for the progress of our program,” said Joey Didier, a former player and current assistant head coach. “The culture of a team is fostered in the camaraderie of the locker room environment. This project will finally allow our entire team to be in one facility together. The locker room project will be a great addition to our tradition-rich program. We hope our alumni get involved to carry on the legacy they created!”

Cameron Smith, another former player and current cornerbacks coach, agrees.

“The Tom Jehl Football Complex locker room renovation not only is needed and necessary to accommodate more athletes, but also to continue to honor the legacy of Tom Jehl,” Smith said. “A new locker room will certainly be a focal point during recruiting and allow our entire team to be in the same room, which helps facilitate unity and camaraderie amongst teammates. It will also reconnect former players to our program and give them the chance to expand their legacy during their time with the USF football program.”

There are several options available for supporters to join the cause:

• For USF football alumni, a locker can be named with a gift of $1,000.
• For other alumni and friends, lockers can be named with a gift of $5,000.
• Gifts of $5,000 to $100,000 are also welcome and include exclusive seating in the stadium’s south end zone.

More information can be found on our website at saintfrancis.givingfuel.com/stadium-lockers.

Those interested can also contact Assistant Head Coach Joey Didier at 260-399-7700, ext. 6226 or jdidier@sf.edu or Cornerbacks Coach Cameron Smith at 260-399-7700, ext. 6215 or cmsmith@sf.edu.