SMWC unveils new multi-purpose outdoor facility

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) recently hosted more than 100 supporters, including members of the community and state legislators, at a press conference to announce the addition of McMahon Field, a multi-purpose football and soccer field on campus. 

“As you look around, the locker room behind me, the outdoor and indoor equine arenas that you drove by to get here and the Sportsplex on campus near our academic buildings are the fruits of the collaboration of READI 1.0 dollars and transformative gifts from our donors,” said Brennan J. Randolph, president of SMWC. “These projects have enhanced SMWC but have also helped to draw more visitors to the Wabash Valley and have provided new opportunities to bring the community out to our beautiful campus.” 

In July 2022, the Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA), representing the six-county region, announced that SMWC’s proposal would be one of 23 projects to be funded through the $20 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program, administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). SMWC was awarded a $1.5 million READI grant to fund both the athletic and equine facilities expansion. 

“The work done here will help grow West Central Indiana, and we’ve already begun to see the impacts in our area with additional visitors, students, and staff on this campus,” said Josh Alsip, vice president of regional engagement for West Central Indiana Partnership. 

The READI program promised to enhance the overall quality of life, foster a thriving environment and create opportunities for communities.  McMahon Field, named for donors Anita McMahon ’61 and Michael McMahon, is the final phase of the READI-funded campus projects. 

SMWC’s existing soccer game-day field was upgraded into a game-day combination football and soccer field. A portion of the funds was used to enhance the north athletic campus by adding a new sprint football practice field in 2022. The investment in the new field will enable the College to draw in new middle and high school competitions, bringing additional tourism opportunities to the region. McMahon Field will also feature Schmidt Press Box, thanks to a generous donation from Jerry and Marcia Schmidt ’72. 

SMWC also announced its plans to add a women’s flag football team in Fall 2027, with competition set for Spring 2028. Women’s collegiate flag football has continued to grow in popularity since the first NAIA teams began competing in 2021. 

“Women’s flag football is the nation’s fastest growing prep sport, with local teams being fielded at Terre Haute North, Terre Haute South and Northview next year,” said Kevin Lanke, associate vice president for athletics. “SMWC looks to tap on the local and national interest in women’s flag football to advance the college’s overall outreach.” 

Lanke also announced SMWC’s first women’s flag football team head coach will be Lane Sluder ’26, who was a four-year team captain of the Pomeroy sprint football team before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education. He is currently pursuing a Master of Sport Leadership at SMWC and has coached youth flag football for the last five years. 

The READI grant also funded a locker room facility with showers and restrooms in 2024. It has been expanded to accommodate a full football team with additional lockers. 

The tennis courts were replaced behind Le Fer Hall, and the space was refreshed with a new multisport focus, including basketball and pickleball. The courts were completed in October of 2025, for use by professors in kinesiology and sports medicine-related courses as well as recreational use by students, faculty, staff and local community residents. 

The READI grant was also used to update the campus’s existing outdoor and indoor equine arenas and improve equine event amenities to attract a new level of collegiate and non-collegiate state and regional competition. In February 2026, SMWC hosted the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Regional meet for Hunt Seat competition and Western competition. The event involved nine schools from Indiana and Illinois, including Purdue University, Indiana University and Ball State University. 

SMWC is nationally known for its stellar equine program as the only equine program in Indiana to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies, and one of only 20 equestrian colleges across the U.S. to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Studies.