The Steemer at Wittenberg University

About This Facility

The Steemer, named for Stanley Steemer International, Inc., to in honor the company's longtime president and chief executive officer, West Bates, Wittenberg class of 1970, opened in 2019. Bates and his wife, Ann, also Wittenberg class of 1970, made a $10 million contribution to the Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) restoration and expansion initiative.

The state-of-the-art facility features practice and competition space that is utilized by all Tiger intercollegiate and varsity club teams, in addition to many other campus organizations. The Steemer is also available to community groups and organizations for rent, and community members can also purchase passes to utilize the track for a small fee each year.

The facility features a 300-meter indoor track, a 100-yard artifical turf, retractable batting cages, long jump pits, space for high jump and pole vault competitions, and a wall that is utilized by the lacrosse, soccer, and tennis teams for different practice activities. MS Consultants, Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, helped design the Steemer, and Danis Construction Company, based in Dayton, Ohio, built it. The MCM Company, Inc. served as a development consultant.

The Steemer is located at the north end of the HWA Complex, next to the Bates Strength Center and overlooking Edwards-Maurer Field. The Steemer is within a short walk from any campus destination. To read more about the completion and dedication of the Steemer, visit the original press release here. 

Accessibility: The Steemer is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, and staff members in Wittenberg Department of Athletics are happy to make accommodations for interested patrons.

Wes and Ann Bates '70

The Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) restoration and expansion initiative became a reality thanks to a lead donation of $10 million by Wes and Ann Bates of Dublin, Ohio, both Wittenberg class of 1970.

Wes Bates graduated from Wittenberg in 1970 and went on to become CEO of Stanley Steemer International. In addition to serving as CEO of Stanley Steemer, Bates was a member of Wittenberg's Board of Directors for more than 15 years. He served as co-chair for Wittenberg's enrollment and marketing committee and the campaign steering committee for the "Having Light" campaign.

Before Wittenberg, Wes Bates attended the Dublin High School, which is now Dublin Coffman High School. At the time, the school's colors were orange and black, which inspired Bates to use those colors for Stanley Steemer. While at Wittenberg, Bates played football. But when he got to Wittenberg, he realized that there was more to Wittenberg than just football. He credited his professors by being very accessible, and that helped him grow his writing skills and composition. He says his writing skills are the most valuable skills he learned while attending.

Bates has also received the Class of 1914 award from Wittenberg, which recognizes individuals who have served the university above and beyond what might be expected of any contributor to the colleges welfare.

History

Construction on The Steemer started in March 2017 and was completed in October 2019, with the facility dedication taking place at a special event during Homecoming Weekend in 2019. The facility was constructed as the centerpiece of the Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) Complex restoration and expansion initiative. Wes and Ann Bates, both class of 1970, contributed $10 million as lead gifts to fund the project.

The Steemer was an expansion of the University's existing athletics facilities, since there was no building in that space before it was built. The Steemer is situated in a location that had previously been a grass practice field, primarily utilized by the Wittenberg Football team, and a parking lot. To make room for The Steemer, the press box overlooking Edwards-Maurer Field was torn down and six tennis courts were also removed.

The facility is not for exclusive use by Wittenberg's student-athletes. Given its multi-purpose nature, the facility has been used for a multitude of things. Each year, Wittenberg hosts university events, in addition to youth sports events and a variety of community activities, including high school track meets. The Steemer can also be used for camps and practices by local youth and high school teams.

Written By: Marin Summers '27