ABILENE – Because the solar units on one other profitable baseball common season, the brightness of a brand new daybreak is about to shine at Crutcher Scott Discipline.
Even because the staff heads into the Western Athletic Convention Match, Abilene Christian College is diving into the primary section of a sequence of renovations at Crutcher Scott Discipline to enhance the Wildcats' baseball services.
“ACU baseball is properly on its strategy to changing into the premier faith-based school program within the nation,” stated Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU President. “The upgraded Crutcher Scott Discipline will improve our student-athlete expertise, assist entice more and more gifted athletes and non-conference opponents, and create a greater fan expertise. I’m excited in regards to the potential of this upgraded facility to construct campus neighborhood and speed up ACU's journey to the Division I Regional and the School World Collection .”
Hype Video
The primary section of development will start instantly after the season ends and will likely be accomplished in time for the 2025 house opener in February. The preliminary section will embrace expanded participant growth, teaching and recruiting services, will considerably improve the expertise for house followers and develop the out of doors neighborhood area. Upgrades will embrace seats with backs and shading on the primary facet of the bottom.
“We’re so excited in regards to the current dedication to enhance our facility and may't wait to start the method of what is going to be the most effective services within the nation when accomplished,” stated the ACU head baseball coach. Rick McCarthy. “I say it on a regular basis, however particular individuals make particular locations. I can't specific how grateful I’m for the management right here at ACU.”
This baseball stadium enchancment venture is the second main element of the ACU Athletics Facility Grasp Plan developed in 2023 in partnership with engineering and design agency HOK. The improve will present ACU baseball with services on par with every other mid-major baseball program within the nation.
“ACU baseball has skilled an unimaginable upward trajectory on and off the sector Rick McCarthy“I consider this vital funding within the facility will permit this pattern to proceed and supply an setting the place our student-athletes can develop of their religion, attain their potential within the classroom and compete.” on the sector championship. I’m very grateful to our neighborhood of donors who consider on this venture and make it a actuality with out utilizing any authorities or college funds. Run, Wildcats!”
Donors have proven enthusiasm to contribute. Greater than 25 main donors have stepped ahead to take a position on this imaginative and prescient and construct momentum that can proceed to maneuver the venture ahead as ACU creates alternatives to ask different ACU alumni, baseball lettermen and passionate followers to be part of this thrilling endeavor.
“It's very straightforward to assist a program led by a person like that Rick McCarthy, which does precisely what it says it should do,” stated Bart Bourland, who participated within the venture. “It develops younger males spiritually, academically and athletically. Because the dad or mum of his former participant, I’ve seen firsthand how my son has grown and developed in all three of those areas due to Coach McCarty's steering and mentorship. He has accomplished an unimaginable job and this new facility is the ultimate piece of the puzzle that can permit this program to go to the subsequent degree in recruiting and creating younger males to achieve success not solely in baseball however in life as properly.”
Funded by ACU donors, this venture brings the overall price of ACU athletic services constructed or renovated over the previous 10 years to greater than $125 million. These initiatives embrace Elmer Grey Stadium (2015), Wildcat Stadium (2017), Jones Tennis Facility (2018), Softball Batting Cages (2019), Byron Nelson Golf Clubhouse (2020), Moody Coliseum (2022), and Wally Bullington Soccer Follow Facility (2023).
“It was nice to see a lot assist from the ACU household and our alumni,” McCarty stated. “Our workers is dedicated to working very laborious to attach the previous with the current, and this venture has already strengthened these relationships. So many individuals have stepped as much as make the imaginative and prescient a actuality. I can't wait to see the impression.” this venture will likely be on our program and college for years to come back!”
Underneath McCarty's management, ACU baseball has a imaginative and prescient be the most effective faith-based school baseball program within the nation. The Wildcats have posted 4 straight 30-win seasons in opposition to an aggressive schedule that has introduced 5 Energy 5 groups to Crutcher Scott Discipline for a dozen video games since 2022. ACU is 6-6 in these video games.
“Our objective is to win championships, however our mission is to develop younger males into future leaders of their households and communities,” McCarty stated. “We need to be referred to as a vacation spot college for gamers who need to develop as a pupil, particular person and participant. Our new facility will present every boy with the area to develop athletically, academically and spiritually throughout their time right here.” at ACU After we started the dialogue about the place we needed to go, our precedence was to create a world-class setting during which our student-athletes might thrive, together with enhancing the fan expertise and creating an area the place our gamers might maximize. their talents. I consider we hit it out of the park!”
To affix the staff in finishing the venture or to study naming choices, contact Sam Ferguson, Affiliate Athletic Director for Income Era at sfq23a@acu.edu.
ACU baseball highlights from 2021
- He accomplished 1,000 hours of neighborhood service this educational yr
- Cumulative GPA of three.39 during the last 11 semesters
- 4 gamers signed skilled contracts in 2023, a university report
- Common 34 wins per yr from 2021-23
- 101 wins over final three seasons – third most by a non-Energy 5 college (Dallas Baptist 121, Texas State 104)
- 9 wins over Energy 5 colleges, third most in state (Texas State 12, Sam Houston State 10)
- Received 48% of video games in opposition to Energy 5 colleges from 2021-23
