Schmidt-Bickle Training Facility
Situated adjacent to Lewis Field Stadium, the Schmidt-Bickle Training Facility was completed in July, 2013. This indoor training facility features a 55-yard, full width, synthetic turf football field with (1) end zone for use by the football program. Also included in the facility is a 5,000 square foot weight training room, four 60-meter long, synthetic surface running lanes, 2,500 square feet of equipment storage, restroom facilities, office space for the facility manager, which doubles as the officials' dressing room, and custodial support space. Retractable indoor batting cages and track and field throwing cages are suspended from the roof structure. Athletes from various sports are able to train year-round in this new facility which expands the athletic training area available at Cunningham Hall/Gross Coliseum.
The building honors the contributions of two local couples: Bob and Pat Schmidt and Don and Chris Bickle.
Bob and Pat Schmidt have been instrumental in the development of several major facilities at Fort Hays State University and the community of Hays over the years. The Schmidts provided one of two lead gifts to make this state of the art training facility a reality for Tiger Athletics. Inducted into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame in 2010, the Schmidts have been longtime supporters of our university. Bob, a native of LaCrosse and Pat, originally from Kinsley, first met as students at FHSU. Bob went on to become the very first "Voice of the Tigers" at KAYS Radio in 1949. He was named General Manager in 1952 and along with his wife, Pat, grew this enterprise into what is known as Eagle Communications. He retired as President and CEO in 1998.
Don and Chris Bickle have been major contributors to Fort Hays State University Athletics and the community of Hays for several years. This training facility became a reality when the Bickles provided one of two lead gifts for the project. Don was past president of Warehouse, Inc. and S & W Supply Co., and serves as the Chairman of the Board for both businesses. He was also active in real estate with Ellner & Bickle, Inc., Realtors, serving as President of the Hays Board of Realtors and the Kansas Association of Realtors. His wife Chris, an avid sports fan, spent 40 years as Office Manager of the Hoisington Hospital. The Bickles, who are both originally from Hoisington, were inducted into the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.