Groundbreaking Complete for New Baseball, Softball Practice Facility

KENT, Ohio – Homecoming Saturday kicked off at Kent State with a groundbreaking out at Schoonover Stadium for a new baseball and softball practice facility.

Kent State University President Dr. Lester Lefton, Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen and lead donor Dave Edmonds '80 all spoke to a crowd of supporters, donors, coaches, staff and student-athletes that gathered for the event.

Softball Head Coach Karen Linder stressed how the facility will allow her players a place to practice and improve any day or time.

"We're excited about this hitting facility because it gives us a place we can call our home," said Linder. "It really is going to have a huge impact on the success of our program."

The project is made possible by a lead gift of $500,000 by Edmonds and a generous donation of $100,000 by Tom Cole '72, both of whom are Kent State baseball alumni. Additionally, there were other gifts of between $5,000 and $25,000 in support of the project.

"To see all the development and to see all the activity around the program today with this facility that's coming for both the men and women, it's really exciting to watch," Edmonds said. "I really believe it's going to make a difference in student-athletes' lives today and in future generations."

Baseball Head Coach Jeff Duncan remarked on the strong Kent State relationships that make projects like the hitting facility possible.

"When you have a program that has so much tradition like our Kent State baseball program," Duncan said, "our alumni are so proud and they always want to give back. The support here between the administration, our alumni and community is unbelievable."

The facility upgrade is part of the Building Champions initiative, the biggest fundraising initiative in the history of the athletic department that was announced earlier this year. The initiative will generate money from private donors to fund a $25 million dollar investment in athletic scholarships and a $35 million dollar investment in various enhancement projects.

On a larger scale, the project is also part of the University's Foundations of Excellence: Building the Future initiative. This campus transformation involves the construction of new buildings, facility upgrades and the establishment of dynamic, new spaces. The University has embarked on a major, multifaceted initiative to make each of Kent State's eight campuses everything a world-class, 21st century campus should be, for the sake of the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater community enriched by the institution.

Changes to the Kent Campus are mirrored in the incredible renaissance of downtown Kent, strengthening the town-gown relationship and creating the enriching experience of a rising college town.

The hitting facility is part of continuing upgrades to the Kent State baseball facilities at Schoonover Stadium. In 2005, a field turf surface was installed, along with an underground drainage system, new dugouts, bullpens, backstop and outfield fencing. For the 2007 season, a home locker room, players' lounge, restrooms and concession stand were added. The updated scoreboard in right field was installed in 2008. Last season, Kent State baseball played night games after the addition of lights at Schoonover Stadium. The hitting facility and a new parking area for the 2014 season are made possible by both public and private funding.

Kent State University Athletics

Groundbreaking Complete for New Baseball, Softball Practice Facility

Related Videos

Footer