SDSU Receives $15 Million Donation for New Football Field

While San Diego State University is still in the midst of finalizing a deal with the city for the Mission Valley stadium site, the school has settled on a name for its future football field, thanks to a generous donation. San Diego philanthropist Dianne L. Bashor donated $15 million for the future home of SDSU sports, according to President, Adela de la Torre. 

To honor the donation, SDSU announced its players will be playing on what will now be known as “Bashor Field” in Aztec Stadium. The gift is one of the largest SDSU has ever received, according to the president. 

“I want to express my deepest gratitude for Mrs. Bashor’s gift. While she never attended San Diego State University, she is known for her generous community support and her gift reflects the close relationship between the San Diego community and San Diego State University,” de la Torre said.

The university has been in talks to acquire the land the stadium resides on for some time now. In November, the City Council unanimously approved City Attorney Mara Elliot to begin drafting a Purchase and Sale Agreement. 

The move has been met with strong support from SDSU supporters, including former SDSU basketball coach Steve Fisher, who called the progress “a terrific outcome”. The City of San Diego and the university have yet to agree on a finalized number, but estimates place it in the $80 million range. 

The City has cited other concerns in the proposed purchase of the stadium, including traffic mitigation, though Councilmember Scott Sherman told NBC News “I believe we are extremely close to reaching a deal.”  If a deal is reached soon, SDSU hopes to break ground on the new site by April 2020.