ONU to honor alumnus with England Gate dedication ceremony

Ohio Northern University will dedicate Dial-Roberson Stadium’s new gate and entrance plaza, the England Gate, named in honor of alumnus Dale “Bud” England Jr., on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m.

England, who graduated from Ohio Northern with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1969, is the very definition of a proud Polar Bear. As a student-athlete, he gave his all to help his team. As an alumnus, he continues to do so.

Football was part of the reason England decided to attend ONU, and he still believes in the power of sports to build character and confidence in young men and women. As a reflection of this belief, England decided to support ONU athletics by funding a fence project to enclose Dial-Roberson Stadium.

Modeled after the existing stadium structure, this first-class design features a grand entrance gate and a large open pavilion to welcome campus visitors. It allows ONU to better account for numbers of guests, charge admission and host playoff games for high school tournaments. Long term, a capital project like this one serves as a springboard to enhance the stadium with other features such as lights and turf.

England is the longest-standing member of the Athletic Hall of Fame committee at Northern. He has been generous to ONU in every sense of the word. His contributions of time, talent and treasure have made ONU stronger and will help ensure that ONU stays a winner both on and off the field.

England also will serve as honorary football captain when the Polar Bears take on Capital University at 1:30 p.m.

Published: Thu, 09/20/2012 - 11:30am