Chris Campbell contributed so much to the Franklin & Marshall College community before his unexpected death, and now his family and his soccer team have honored him by building a soccer complex in South Africa.

The Chris Campbell Center opened last December in Khayelitsha Township on the outskirts of Cape Town. The lighted soccer field, classroom and bathrooms are in constant use by schools, community groups and various teams as the university works towards an educational partnership.

This multipurpose facility began as a way for F&M head soccer coach and Coordinator of Athletic Development Dan Wagner to combine mission work with fighting poverty and a hope for the college to have a working relationship with the Cape Town area.

"We wanted to start this project for a while, but when Chris died in 2007, we decided it would be a great way to memorialize him," said Wagner. "His community in Main Line Philadelphia got involved by starting an educational foundation and helped make our dream become reality."

Campbell, a two-time all-conference player, died while jogging at his Narberth home just days before the 2007 season began. His number has been permanently painted on the soccer field at the school. Wagner and his team wanted a more global way to honor him that dealt more with education and less with soccer.

Wagner and other personnel from the college traveled to South Africa to look at possible sites.

"Strategically, it was a great spot. It is an easy place to get students to and some of the best universities in the world are in Cape Town," said Wagner. "At the same time, there are many underprivileged communities within minutes of the universities, and HIV/AIDS and unemployment are out of control."

Engineering work started in March 2008, with construction on the field starting Sept. 25. The project was completed Dec. 4. Additional construction will continue in the future to add a clubhouse and other features.

Currently the field is used during the day by local schools for recess and physical education. The classroom is used in the afternoon for academics and for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) to teach life lessons to the people of the area. These include forming a soccer team for AIDS orphans while teaching them about life and a program that teaches men how to properly treat their women to limit abuse. The evenings are reserved for adult soccer leagues, which have been a huge success.

"There is no alcohol or gambling allowed. It gets 500 men off the streets in an area with such a high crime rate," Wagner said.

One person who made the trip with Wagner was Dr. Susan Dicklitch, Director of the Ware Institute of Civic Engagement and Associate Dean of the College. "It was a wonderful transformation," she said. "We were able to blend something from soccer into a hands-on approach to learning. We have a chance to offer life skills to these residents thanks to information given to us by (SouthEast Lancaster Health Services). We hope to establish a constant relationship that includes exchange students and interns on-site."

The first intern to spend time in Cape Town was a soccer player who knew Campbell well. Ryan McGonigle, who set a single-season points record at F&M, was Campbell's best friend. He served as the first Diplomat presence at the field, helping with programs and working with the students.

The total cost for the project was approximately $350,000. Wagner said money was raised by team members and through donations from various businesses throughout the region. He said he hopes more donations will come to help with future work at the site.

The turf field is in use 365 days of the year.

"I am overjoyed and in shock over how much was done in such a short time. It is a great story of people coming together for a goal," said Wagner. "It has been a two-way street. We have made a difference in the township, but it has made a greater impact on the people here. It has given the Campbell family a reason to move forward from a horrific event."

Plans are in the works on finalizing the joint educational venture between F&M and the universities in Cape Town.