Generous Donors and Friends Help Make Triton Baseball Facility a “Field of Dreams”

Race to raise $200,000 before June 30 heats up

June 4, 2008

By Jade Berggren

With lights on the baseball field, the Tritons could get home-field advantage by hosting championships.

Tractors.  Hardhats.  Shovels.  Major construction may seem like a fixture at UC San Diego, as the university grows and expands.  But as new buildings are erected and the sound of hammers echoes, UC San Diego’s baseball field—tucked in the northeast area of campus—is facing a wonderful, yet urgent, opportunity to update its facilities for the dedicated Triton student-athletes who play there.

Electrical utilities would pave the way for many upgrades to the baseball facilities, benefiting players and fans.

While heavy construction is taking place on campus, UC San Diego Athletics is working to raise enough funds by June 30 to cover the cost for electrical lines to be brought to the baseball field.  If the work takes place while utilities are being connected at other construction project sites nearby on campus, the cost is estimated at $200,000.  If the Tritons are unable to take advantage of the current construction, the electrical hook-ups could cost upwards of $800,000 for contractors to revisit the electrical utilities at a later time.

Why are electrical lines so important to the Triton baseball team?  They will allow for the installation of lights which are needed for UC San Diego to host championships on home turf with Triton students, parents, faculty, staff and friends rooting them on. What’s more, the stage will be set for additional improvements to the baseball players’ facilities, including a team room, scoreboard, press box and more comfortable accommodations for fans bringing the Triton spirit.

“With the future installation of lights, we could have home-field advantage for championships—one of the best ways to advance in post-season play,” said Earl Edwards, director of UC San Diego’s Intercollegiate Athletics.  “Facility updates made possible by the electrical lines will also provide an enhanced experience for our players on the field, the Triton fans on the sidelines and community members who utilize the baseball field.”

The race to raise $200,000 has been helped greatly with the devotion of generous donors, including William Scripps, a member of the UC San Diego Athletic Board, who recently gave $50,000 to support the project.  In addition, fellow Athletic Board member and alumnus, Gary Jacobs, ’79, has pledged to give $25,000 toward the project.  Jacobs has also created a challenge, wherein he will match gifts from alumni and friends up to $25,000—allowing for up to $75,000 to be raised for the important initiative.  “It is the commitment of supporters and friends to Triton baseball that will help us reach the next level,” notes Edwards.  “It will bring us one step closer to becoming the premier NCAA Division II program in the nation.”

The Triton baseball field is also open for use by members of the community.  The option of holding night games would allow UC San Diego to accommodate more local youth groups and other college-age teams from off-campus as well.

To learn more about how you can support the enhancement of the Triton baseball facilities, please call (858) 534-3540 or email dphilippi@ucsd.edu.  To give now, you may visit http://studentsupport.ucsd.edu, and then click on “Support of Baseball Facilities” to access our secure online giving website.

Media Contact: Jade Berggren, 858-822-5309