VCSU announces new name of field

Valley City State’s football field has a new name.

The school announced on Tuesday that the new artificial playing surface will be named Shelly Ellig Field in recognition of a major contribution from the Fargo-area businessman and philanthropist.

The full name of the venue will now be known as Shelly Ellig Field at Lokken Stadium.

Ellig, who died in October at the age of 81, was the founder of the Fargo-based Stop-N-Go stores.

Work on the new turf is ongoing and is on track to be finished in time for Valley City State’s opener on Sept. 1 against Morningside College (Iowa).

The $1 million project began in the spring and also includes updates to the scoreboard.

The new surface will host its first Paint Bucket Game Oct. 1 when VCSU hosts Jamestown College in the 107th meeting between the Vikings and Jimmies. Jamestown College has won the last five match-ups.

— Dave Selvig

Tags: valley city, sports, vcsu, football