Cross Country Practice Field | Track and Field Practice Field

1401 E. 4th Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501 

Indian Hills Cross Country and Track and Field practice at this facility through a partnership with the Ottumwa Community School District.  Schaefer Stadium is just 3 miles from Ottumwa’s Main Campus.

Ottumwa’s historic stadium was named for Walter Schafer, a 1913 graduate of Ottumwa High School. He was an honor student; twelve-letter man in football, basketball and track; high school debater; and Argus newspaper staff member. He played collegiate football at the University of Chicago. In 1916, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to the front lines in Europe. He was mortally wounded while leading a scouting patrol in France. The Ottumwa High School Athletic Field was named in his honor. In 1942 when this stadium was built, Schafer’s name was moved to this facility.

In recent years, the stadium saw a complete renovation, costing approximately $3.8 million. The project, completed in two phases in 2018 included:  filling in the bowl and installing Astroturf; installation of new LED stadium lights with new light poles; new stadium seating on both the home and visitor side; upgrading the pavilion including new public restrooms, locker rooms, and storage; and remodeling the press box. Phase II included the installation of a new 8-lane track and video scoreboard. The facility is a source of pride to Ottumwa’s athletes and community.