{"id":13708,"date":"2026-10-12T14:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T19:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/?p=13708"},"modified":"2026-10-12T15:08:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T20:08:02","slug":"renovated-walton-stadium-is-ready-for-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/2026\/10\/12\/renovated-walton-stadium-is-ready-for-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"Renovated Walton Stadium is ready for championships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6acee2348d84f&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6acee2348d84f\" class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized has-custom-border wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"675\" height=\"506\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A7346-copy-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13763\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;width:475px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A7346-copy-1.jpg 675w, https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A7346-copy-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mrs. Audrey J. Walton (center) and family applaud during the program at the 2026 Audrey J. Walton Track &amp; Soccer Field Stadium Ribbon Cutting<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last week, I was thrilled to attend a special event celebrating the completion of renovations to our <a href=\"https:\/\/mutigers.com\/audrey-j-walton-tracksoccer-fieldstadium-track-field\">Audrey J. Walton Track\/Soccer Stadium<\/a>. We were joined by coaches, student-athletes and supporters, including Mrs. Walton, <a href=\"https:\/\/mutigers.com\/news\/2025\/01\/29\/audrey-j-walton-makes-transformative-donation-to-enhance-outdoor-track-and-field-and-soccer-stadium\">whose incredible generosity<\/a> made this remarkable facility possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mrs. Walton\u2019s 2024 gift allowed us to make important updates to the stadium that bears her name, including a resurfaced field and surrounding track. It\u2019s also the latest commitment from Mrs. Walton to advance opportunities for Mizzou\u2019s track &amp; field and women\u2019s soccer teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her commitment to this project spans nearly 30 years of leadership and support. The stadium was first built following a significant gift from Mrs. Walton in 1996. Further enhancements were undertaken in 2006, thanks to her continued generosity. Together, these investments in our student-athletes have cemented Walton Stadium\u2019s status as one of the premier facilities of its kind in the SEC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6acee2348e084&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6acee2348e084\" class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"487\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A6905-copy.jpg\" alt=\"A Mizzou scoreboard displays the words &quot;Thank You Audrey Walton - 2026 Walton Stadium Ribbon Cutting&quot; on a sunny day\" class=\"wp-image-13715\" style=\"width:175px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A6905-copy.jpg 650w, https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A6905-copy-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Audrey J. Walton Track &amp; Soccer Stadium scoreboard<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6acee2348f110&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6acee2348f110\" class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized is-style-default wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"488\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A6924-copy.jpg\" alt=\"A woman holds a program for the 2026 Audrey J. Walton Track &amp; Soccer Field Stadium Ribbon Cutting\" class=\"wp-image-13716\" style=\"width:175px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A6924-copy.jpg 650w, https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/D54A6924-copy-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>An attendee holds a program at the 2026 Audrey J. Walton Track &amp; Soccer Field Stadium Ribbon Cutting<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are so grateful for Mrs. Walton\u2019s dedication, which has created a legacy of competitive excellence that continues to impact Tigers and our entire community. Now, our talented student-athletes can compete at the top of their game, and we look forward to elevating our programs to the next level of success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 Mun<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week, I was thrilled to attend a special event celebrating the completion of renovations to our Audrey J. Walton Track\/Soccer Stadium. We were joined by coaches, student-athletes and supporters, including Mrs. Walton, whose incredible generosity made this remarkable facility possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13708"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13772,"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13708\/revisions\/13772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/president.missouri.edu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}