The money has been raised (and then some), so now MSU is set to break ground on the Bobcat Football Stadium expansion before the end of the month. Expanded seating, a new scoreboard, and stadium lights are all part of the plan.

First they beat the Grizzlies, and now the Bobcats have beat the $10 million fund raising goal for expanding Montana State University's football stadium.

"We're absolutely ecstatic," Michael Stevenson said Tuesday. As the new president and chief executive officer of the MSU Foundation, Stevenson is in charge of construction and fund raising. "It's unprecedented.

"Now the work really begins," Stevenson said. The official groundbreaking is scheduled for Jan. 28.

The project will rebuild and expand the southeast end-zone, add 5,200 seats, new concession stands, restrooms, locker rooms, wheelchair access, a high-tech scoreboard and field lighting.

With more money and pledges still coming in above the $10 million goal, Stevenson added, it may be possible to build the new end-zone seating with pre-cast concrete, rather than aluminum.

Noting the schedule is tight to finish construction in time for the first fall 2011 game, he said, "We'll celebrate when people are sitting in the new end zone."

The $10 million was raised by late last week and verified Monday, three months after the fundraising campaign began.

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