For the 40 years Mark Farley has been involved with UNI, both as a football player and now the head coach, one thing has presented the same set of challenges - the grass football practice field to the northwest of the UNI-Dome.

The uneven grass surface has been less-than-ideal for player safety and the lack of lighting renders football practice in the dark days of December, when a playoff victory is on the line, virtually impossible.

But all that is about to change, thanks to a generous donation by Doug and Ann Goschke that will lead to the construction of the The Doug and Ann Goschke Outdoor Practice Facility - In Memory of Junean Goschke. The modernized field will include an oversized turf field, lights and fencing and is part of more than $4 million in investments in UNI football that are currently in progress and are scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2021.

“For the past 40 years, this is where we’ve done our work,” Farley said, gesturing to the practice field during a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday. “And I hope we can show the Goschkes just what a difference-making gift this is for us, and not just for the football team, but for the whole athletics department and, I believe, the whole university.”

The ceremony featured several speakers, including Doug, who fought back tears while remembering his late sister.

“This is an emotional day for me,” Doug said. “I miss (Junean) greatly, and she would be so proud of what we’re doing here.”