With existing storage areas reaching full capacity, former Wildcats soccer player Rod Bolls '97 stepped in to help.
 
Bolls is the founder of Boxwell, the Boulder, Colorado-based manufacturer of fully-customizable storage solutions for businesses around the world. The company recently donated six Wildcats-branded storage containers with roll-up doors for use primarily at Linfield's newly renovated soccer and lacrosse field.
 
Though storage facilities are not always at the top of every athletic department's wish list, the gift of six containers totaling 1,000 square feet of portable storage space is a welcome and much-needed addition.
 
The major gift "simply could not have come at a better time," said director of athletics Garry Killgore. "We never seem to have enough high-quality storage. Receiving this gift right before the rains arrive is perfect and very much appreciated.
 
"As we have expanded our event-day experiences, like Streak Street, we have also expanded the need for various items that help to make our events so special, such as the 20-foot tall inflatable Wildcat, extra tents, family games, and so on," said Killgore.
 
The new storage units are functional and easy on the eyes. Purple and red trim frame the corners of each unit and the Wildcat logo is prominently displayed on each container. On a recent October day, a small group of student-athletes and athletic department staff assembled the containers upon their arrival to campus.
 
In the years to come, Linfield senior associate director of athletics Doug Hire believes the storage units will make subtle yet important impressions upon current and future student-athletes.

"Whenever we make improvements in the appearance of our facilities, big or small, I believe it does impact what someone sees and/or may attract or get the attention of a possible recruit," said Hire. "The branding of the Boxwell storage units is beautifully done and another piece that improves the overall appearance of our facilities. These improvements add an additional sense of pride and ownership for our student-athletes."
 
For his part, Bolls wanted a means to make a sizable contribution toward Linfield's soccer/lacrosse field project that went beyond just writing a check.
 
"I've always placed importance on living a well-rounded life. When I started Boxwell five years ago, I knew that the success of my company would depend upon achieving a balance between family, work and health. As a business owner with an ongoing passion for athleticism, I lead my company with the same honesty and integrity that I live by – prioritizing both working hard and playing hard.
 
"I am happy to be able to support my alma mater during the soccer and lacrosse field renovations with 10- and 20-foot Wildcats storage units from Boxwell. Linfield's athletics program will now have ample space to store necessary sports equipment," said Bolls.
 
Hire noted that the six matching storage units will replace a string of band-aid storage solutions.
 
"It's been challenging over the years to locate sufficient storage space for our athletic programs. We have had sheds built and cargo units placed around our venues for storage. The new Boxwell storage units are functional, spacious, and are easy to move. These storage units provide our athletic programs and our athletic department the ability to organize our inventory in one secured location."