Football | 7/20/2026 2:05:00 PM

July 20, 2026-Whether it was watching the Hornets or playing as a Spartan, Welch Stadium has a special place in Clint Drake's heart.  Thanks to his contributions, the current generation of players will be able to make memories of their own at Welch Stadium with a new state of the art FieldTurf to be known as Blackcreek Diesel Field.

"Growing up, Emporia State athletics was simply part of life" said Drake. "I can still remember sitting on our front porch and hearing the cannon fire every time the Hornets scored. I remember watching Brian Shay's record breaking career and the excitement that surrounded this community."

The installation reflects Emporia State's long-term approach to keeping Welch Stadium game-ready and visually aligned with the Hornet brand. The resurfacing is the second major upgrade to Welch Stadium in the past 12 months starting with the new videoboard last season.

"We are incredibly excited to partner with Blackcreek Diesel and recognize their commitment to Hornet Athletics through the naming of Blackcreek Diesel Field," said Steve Rodecap, Emporia State Director of Athletics. "This investment provides our student-athletes with a first-class playing surface and reinforces our commitment to providing an outstanding experience for our programs. We are incredibly grateful to Clint and everyone on his team for their generosity and for helping make this project a reality."

Preliminary work on the turf began on Friday, July 17 with the project expected to last a total of 14-15 days depending on the weather. During construction the stadium will be closed to the public and no one will be allowed on the track during the project. The new Black Creek Diesel Field at Welch Stadium is expected to be completed in time for the start of Emporia State Football training camp on August 3.

The current surface was installed prior to the 2016 season and has played host to 50 Emporia State football games, 41 Emporia HS games, 13 KSHSAA State Championship games, and three Kansas Shrine Bowls in addition to countless Emporia State football practices as well as strength and conditioning sessions for nearly all Hornet sports. 

"I am deeply thankful to Emporia State University for this incredible honor, specifically Steve Rodecap, Zach Fief and Harris Kossover. Without their efforts, this wouldn't be possible," said Drake. "More than anything, I hope that years from now, a young athlete walks onto Blackcreek Diesel Field, creates memories that last a lifetime, and one day has the opportunity to give back to the community that believed in them. That is what this is really about."

Welch Stadium plays an important role in the Emporia community, supporting numerous other campus and community events beside football games such as the annual Fourth of July Fireworks show and Special Athletics Track & Field.  This past May, Witten Track and Welch Stadium served as the host of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships for the fifth time in 31 years.
 

Full Statement from Clint Drake, Owner Blackcreek Diesel and Automotive
When people ask what this means to me, the answer is simple it means coming home. I was born and raised in Emporia. I didn't come from wealth or privilege. I was raised by a single father (Johnny Drake) who dedicated 41 years to USD 253, working in maintenance and custodial services. He taught me that your name isn't built by what you have, but by how hard you work, how you treat people, and whether you leave things better than you found them.

Growing up, Emporia State athletics was simply part of life. I can still remember sitting on our front porch and hearing the cannon fire every time the Hornets scored. I remember watching Brian Shay's record breaking career and the excitement that surrounded this community. You don't have to be an alumnus to have a connection to Emporia State Athletics. If you grew up here, those memories belong to all of us.

Football shaped a big part of my childhood. I played in this community from fifth grade through my senior year of high school. During my varsity years, we had the privilege of playing our home games at Welch Stadium. Some of my greatest memories were made on that field. What makes those memories even more meaningful is that many of the teammates I started playing with in fifth grade stood beside me until the very last second of our final high school football game. We grew up together on that field. We learned discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and what it meant to represent something bigger than ourselves. Those experiences stay with you long after the final whistle.

When the opportunity arose to support Emporia State and help ensure that future generations have the same opportunities and memories that I was fortunate enough to have, it wasn't a difficult decision. If today's kids can build lifelong friendships, learn valuable lessons, and one day look back on that field with the same pride that I do, then this investment has already accomplished more than a name ever could.

While my name may be associated with this gift, I want to be very clear that this is not an accomplishment that belongs to me alone. This recognition represents the people who show up every day for Williams Towing Inc., Blackcreek Diesel & Automotive LLC, and SOS Towing & Recovery. It represents the dispatchers who answer the phones at all hours, the operators working through the night, the mechanics who keep equipment moving, the office staff who keep everything organized, and every employee who has helped build these businesses one customer at a time. Without their dedication, sacrifice, and belief in what we're building, none of this would have been possible. I am incredibly grateful to every member of our team. This honor belongs to all of us.

Our community has also experienced its share of challenges. We've seen businesses leave, and we've seen moments where division has overshadowed unity. My hope is that this gift serves as a reminder of what is possible when we continue investing in the place that invested in us. Communities don't become stronger because someone else chooses to invest. They become stronger when the people who call them home decide to give back. I hope this encourages others whether through time, mentorship, leadership, or financial support to continue investing in Emporia. We all have different ways to contribute, but if each of us commits to leaving this community a little better than we found it, the next generation will have opportunities that are even greater than those we enjoyed.

I am deeply thankful to Emporia State University for this incredible honor, specifically Steve Rodecap, Zach Fief and Harris Kossover. Without their efforts, this wouldn't be possible. It is one that I will never take for granted. More than anything, I hope that years from now, a young athlete walks onto Blackcreek Diesel Field, creates memories that last a lifetime, and one day has the opportunity to give back to the community that believed in them. That is what this is really about.