Opened in 1964, the Sports and Fitness Center [1] houses the department of physical education and athletics, classrooms, a 200-meter indoor track and other recreational and athletics facilities.
The north portion of the building, Johnson Fieldhouse [2], is home for Blue Devil basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. It is named for Ray C. Johnson, who held several positions from 1938 to 1969, including physical education instructor, athletic director and department chair of physical education. During part of his tenure, Johnson was in charge of men's physical education and was the sole coach for all sports offered at Stout.
To the right is Nelson Field [3], the location of facilities for Blue Devil soccer, track, baseball and tennis. Burton E. Nelson was president of the Stout Institute from 1923 to 1945, a rather unsettled period in history. During his tenure, the two-year institute had grown into an accredited four-year college with graduate studies, leaving behind some of the academy and trade school characteristics of earlier years. Through much effort, Nelson obtained the funds to purchase the athletic field which was later named for him.
Don and Nona Williams Stadium [4] is named in honor of a prominent Menomonie couple who donated $1 million toward the project. The highly respected, civic-minded couple are active community leaders and noted philanthropists. Don Williams served a total of 18 years on the Stout University Foundation Board of Directors. The 4,500-seat stadium is part of the Recreation/Athletic Complex, financed by gifts, student fees and program revenue.