Fund-raising gets underway for field
Athletics department raises 37 percent of $7 million needed

By John Weyand
Staff Reporter

In an effort to raise enough money to build a new baseball field, TCU has just rounded first base.

Bronson Davis, vice chancellor for university advancement, said since fund raising began in November, the TCU Athletics Department has raised $2.612 million, 37 percent of the $7 million the new facility will cost.

“We’re hoping to have half by March 1,” Davis said. “We’re hoping to have it all by the end of April.”

Once funds reach 50 percent, Davis said TCU will approach the Mabee Foundation for a grant. The foundation, centered in Tulsa, Okla., is named for TCU alumni J.E. and L.E. Mabee.

Davis said TCU policy requires 70 percent of the total cost of a facility be raised before construction can begin.

Davis went on to explain a seven-stage fund-raising strategy already in motion, which includes an offer to individuals and local corporations for the stadium’s naming rights. Davis said the name of the stadium should sell for a contribution of about $3 million.

In addition to naming the field, TCU will give donors the opportunity to name specific parts of the facility. Benefactors will be able to purchase naming rights to the new luxury suites, dugouts and press box.

Another phase of the fund-raising plan is dedicated to funds donated by individual alumni. So far, leadership gifts total $1.35 million.

Davis said the reason for creating the seven-stage strategy was to get the stadium built in as little time as possible.

“We felt we had to do it quickly,” Davis said. “We want (TCU) to look great as soon as it can.”

Head baseball coach Lance Brown said he is eager for TCU to have an attractive facility for recruiting reasons.

“The last four or five years (recruiting) has been pretty tough,” Brown said. “TCU has to have a facility that can compare to any facility in the country. It is key in baseball recruiting.”

Rice baseball coach Wayne Graham said he agreed with Brown’s opinion that new facilities are critical to the success of a program.

“If we hadn’t built ours, we wouldn’t be able to keep up with other programs, let alone move on,” Graham said. “The new stadium hasn’t given us an advantage, it’s just let us stay with everyone else."

In the 2000 season, Rice University opened Reckling Park.

Graham also said Rice is among several universities who have to decide quickly if the baseball programs should keep pace with the country’s top programs by building a new facility.

“It’s put up or shut up,” Graham said. “You want a winning program or you don’t. A stadium could mean the difference.”

In addition to having suites and a press box, the stadium will seat about 3,500, and will feature concessions, batting and pitching cages, indoor locker rooms and lights.

Brown said TCU baseball will reap several benefits from its new stadium, including a rise in attendance because of the ability to play night games.

“Players don’t get nearly as pumped up to play at 2 p.m. in front of 200 people as they do to play at night in front of 2,500 people,” Brown said.

Brown said the stadium’s effect on attendance will make a significant difference in the Frogs’ success.

“The new facility will give Fort Worth a chance to establish some enthusiasm for TCU baseball,” Brown said. “It could give us as many as three or four more wins a year.”

Brown said he’s also excited for the NCAA ramifications the new stadium will hold, especially after TCU’s departure from the Western Athletic Conference.

“The NCAA rewards good facilities,” Brown said. “And moving into Conference USA, we may get a conference tournament in our first conference year.

“Players from all over America will look forward to coming (to TCU), and the field will be a reward for everyone who gets to play there.”

Once the stadium is built and in use, Davis said the current baseball field will connect to Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. An indoor complex will contain an 80-yard football field, a track, basketball courts and indoor baseball practice facilities.

John Weyand
j.h.weyand@student.tcu.edu