Chris Yingling | Echo
Playing under the lights at Winterholder Field has been a project long in the works for the Taylor baseball team. Finally, one of the better baseball fields in the NAIA will have the ability to host primetime games.
The six light poles surrounding Winterholder Field are just small parts of Phase II of Taylor's initiative to advance the athletic fields to state-of-the-art complexes. Phase I of the project mainly involved the construction of the artificial turf for New Stadium, along with the turf for the baseball field.
Phase II commenced this week as the $240,000 donor-driven project to put up the light structures was completed. The lights are expected to be fully operational by April 1, in time for Taylor's first-ever night game.
"Baseball lights have always been a number one priority because of the criticism that baseball gets for the athletes being out of class," said Athletics Director Angie Fincannon. "We've always wanted to do lights, but we didn't have the momentum and resources to do it."
A $100,000 donation from the Avis Foundation spurred the project to build the lights. The rest of the $140,000 came from alumni who chose to donate specifically to the lighting project.
The improvements won't stop at the baseball field. Plans are in place to build a new press box atop New Stadium, an up-to-date drainage system and press box for Gudakunst Field (softball) and a concrete plaza outside Odle Arena. Taylor has also completed the purchase of several sets of bleachers from Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Each advancement made in the athletic department comes with hefty price tags. But none of the building projects will impact the tuition of Taylor students.
"These improvements are being made possible by the gifts of alumni and friends who have a particular interest in supporting student athletes," said Vice President of Advancement Ben Sells. "The gifts are building upon work that began three years ago for football/soccer, softball and baseball stadiums."
Ultimately, Fincannon hopes these developments will attract national recognition to Taylor University from the rest of the NAIA.
"We want to host an NAIA tournament here someday," Fincannon said. "We'd love to host high school events. We want to finish Gudakunst Field and Winterholder Field so that we can host a national championship."Photograph by Josh Adams
