A dedication ceremony for the new David and Peggy
Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility will take
place on Saturday, Oct. 18.

A dedication ceremony for the new David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility is set for Saturday, Oct. 18. The event will begin at 9 a.m. to kick off Homecoming festivities.

Kent State University President Beverly Warren and Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen invite all baseball and softball alumni to attend. Registration is available online at www.supportgoldenflashes.com/reservation. Parking for the event will be available in the Schoonover Stadium parking lot located near the intersection of Campus Center Drive and state Route 261.

A groundbreaking for the new facility took place nearly a year prior on Oct. 5, 2013. The project was made possible by a lead gift of $500,000 by Dave Edmonds, '80, and a generous donation of $100,000 by Tom Cole, '72, both of whom are Kent State baseball alumni. Additionally, there were other gifts between $5,000 and $25,000 in support of the project.

The facility upgrade is part of the Building Champions initiative, the biggest fundraising initiative in the history of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, that was announced in 2013. The initiative will generate money from private donors to fund a $25 million investment in athletic scholarships and a $35 million investment in various enhancement projects.

On a larger scale, the project also is 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. In 2013, Kent State baseball played night games after the addition of lights at Schoonover Stadium. A new parking area and stadium entrance opened in 2014.

For more information about Kent State Intercollegiate Athletics, visit www.kentstatesports.com.