REDESIGNING THE PLAYING FIELD

In the summer of 2023, MSU Athletics unveiled an exciting project. Thanks to a partnership with Sportscapes Construction, and a generous gift from Andy Prefontaine (Class of 1971), the MSU Football team received a newly redesigned field. The new turf brought new life to Jayne Stadium in time for the 2023 season kick-off.

“Our football program is such a huge part of not just athletics, but MSU as a whole,” said Kelly Wells (Class of 1995), director of athletics. “Our team deserved a new playing field – one they could step onto and feel excited and prepared to face their opponents.”

The project was extra special thanks to a deep MSU connection.

When Dan Hodson (Class of 1992) heard that Morehead State University was looking for a contractor for a refreshed football field, he had to throw his name in the hat. It wasn’t just his history with MSU that made him an ideal candidate. Hodson owns and manages Sportscapes Construction, a company that specializes in the installation of artificial turf and track surfaces.

After graduating from MSU, Hodson began working in commercial landscaping. After a move to Texas, he got involved with a civil construction company that built and installed synthetic turf fields and running tracks. Due to an economic downturn, the business was eventually sold. Seeing an opportunity, Hodson made the decision to fill the company’s void by creating his own business.

“It was a roll of the dice,” said Hodson. “I knew it was either the best time, or the worst time, to start my own construction business when the industry was struggling. But 15 years later, we’re still in business and growing.”

Getting the job for the MSU field was an exceptionally proud moment as he’d have the chance to leave a little bit of himself on the campus he loved.

Hodson’s work has taken him and his family across the country over the last several years, but Morehead has always felt like home. Hodson met his wife, Heather Hayes Hodson , while at MSU. No matter where their journey has taken them since, they’ve both maintained a passion for Morehead.

When their daughter Hallie Hodson (Class of 2020), a trained dancer, began looking at colleges that would allow her to earn a degree while continuing to dance, they visited MSU. Hallie immediately fell in love and the Hodson family’s Eagle legacy continued. In fact, from immediate to extended family, more than 20 family members have ties to MSU.

The Hodsons returned to Morehead often to watch Hallie perform. In the spring of 2020, they decided it was time to stop commuting and make Morehead home once again. Dan continued to travel often for work, but Heather and Hallie put down deeper roots in the community through the opening of their dance studio, Nexus Pointe. Many of the instructors have been MSU dancers and they’ve given their time to instill a passion for dance into their students.

“Bringing our family back to Morehead and building our businesses here has been an honor,” said Dan. “MSU gave us all so much and it’s a privilege to be represented here.”