ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University will honor generous donors and celebrate one of its outstanding teams during next month's dedication of a new sports facility. The dedication and cookout that follows are just some of the activities scheduled during NCAA Division III Week, a national celebration.
The SportONE/Parkview Softball Field and the Ben Davis Memorial Press Box dedication will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. Everyone is invited to attend the free event, a cookout at 2:30 p.m. with free hot dogs and refreshments, and a softball doubleheader that begins at 3:30 p.m.
"We're excited to have this great new facility for such an accomplished team and think the fans will enjoy it as well," said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine president. "Our donors deserve accolades for making the new stadium possible."
Trine trustee Jerry Allen and his wife, Jorja, Trine alumni, were lead donors for the project. And, thanks to a partnership with the Parkview Foundation and SportONE, the stadium features a new field, dugouts and batting cages along with expanded seating. It is named to recognize donors Parkview Ortho Hospital and Drs. Brett F. Gemlick and John C. Pritchard. Gemlick is an orthopedic surgeon and Pritchard is a sports medicine specialist, both are with SportONE, a division of Orthopaedics NorthEast of Fort Wayne. Dr. Gemlick will throw out the first pitch when the Thunder takes on Calvin in a doubleheader.
A commitment from Harold Chevrolet of Angola memorializes the late Ben Davis, former co-owner of the Chevrolet dealership, with a new brick press box complete with concessions and restrooms.
In addition to stadium seating, the new diamond also boasts a brick wall between the dugouts and home plate and new fencing behind home plate. Additional field drainage was also part of the project.
The stadium was designed to create a better experience for the team and fans. The team is ranked No. 8 in the nation and boasts an 18-1 record.
Last spring, many loyal fans were in attendance when the Thunder captured the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association regional tournament crowns. That success advanced the team to the NCAA Division III National Championship in Tyler, Texas. The team also produced two All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. The softball team has won six regular season titles since 2007 and has been to regionals each of the past eight years.
The dedication is part of Trine's celebration of NCAA DIII week, April 6 to 12, which celebrates Division III student-athletes. The week observes the effect of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community.
Article courtesy Debbie Meyers-Lockwood, University Marketing and Communications