Support �ǿմ�ý Baseball

Graphic rendering of future baseball field

Step up to the Plate

Now is the time to step up for the future of �ǿմ�ý Baseball. Together, we can transform our field into a premier facility in the Ohio Athletic Conference, ensuring a championship-caliber environment for generations of Polar Bear student-athletes.

Photo from a baseball game of �ǿմ�ý student athlete hitting a ball

Double your Impact

We are thrilled to announce a $250,000 matching gift challenge from Chris Goﬀ, BSBA ’85. For every dollar you give toward the stadium renovation, Chris will match it to eﬀectively double your impact on �ǿմ�ý Baseball. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your gift go twice as far!

To support the Campaign for �ǿմ�ý Baseball, contact the Office of University Advancement:
Call: 419-772-2035
Email: advancement@onu.edu

Your role in our Future

�ǿմ�ý Baseball has thrived for over a century because of our commitment to excellence and relationships. Today, we have a coaching staff and student-athletes with passion and grit; we just need a field to match.

We are calling on our alumni, parents, and fans to step up to the plate with generosity. Help us build a better future for �ǿմ�ý Baseball—one at-bat, one inning, one gift at a time.

A legacy worth protecting

Baseball holds the distinction of being Ohio Northern University’s first organized sport, dating back to the late 1800s. From our first diamond—carved out of a cow pasture donated by founder Henry Solomon Lehr, to a historic 1974 College World Series appearance, to the legendary 31-season tenure of Coach Herb Strayer, baseball enjoys a long and storied history at �ǿմ�ý.

Today, the bases are loaded for continued success. With an elite coaching sta° and a roster of more than 50 dedicated student-athletes, �ǿմ�ý Baseball has secured the second-most OAC wins in the conference over the past decade. While they continue to shatter program records for strikeouts, saves, doubles, and RBIs, the “wins” also happen in the classroom, where the team recently set a program record for GPA.

The Vision

The Polar Bear spirit remains unmatched, but our facilities have fallen behind. Currently ranking among the lowest in the OAC, the stadium’s condition limits our student-athletes’ potential and hinders our ability to recruit top-tier talent.

This spring, we’re launching a $2.1 million renovation to be completed by the 2027 season. We seek to raise $1.6 million toward the project. This transformation includes:

Infrastructure: Crucial irrigation and drainage upgrades.
Performance: Artificial turf infield, new dugouts, professional-grade batting cages, and renovated bullpens.
Experience: A state-of-the-art scoreboard to engage families and fans.
Reorientation: A turn of the field to minimize sun glare for batters.

Upgrading our stadium will allow us to maximize the quality and safety of our performance, and encourage more community members to attend games. The generous donations toward this project mean the world to our players, coaches, and the campus community.

Kyle Callahan, Baseball Student-Athlete, Mechanical Engineering Major

“I’m thrilled to see our baseball
student-athletes gain a home that matches their dedication. Over the last decade, we have systemically transformed our west campus athletic complex into a premier hub within the OAC. Now, the time has come for �ǿմ�ý Baseball. We need to ensure our baseball facilities reﬂect the excellence of our program.”

Tom Simmons, BSBA ’85, BA ’86
�ǿմ�ý Athletics Director

“The teamwork and perseverance of our players never cease to amaze me. This upgraded facility will be a tribute to their hard work and a clear sign that the entire Polar Bear community is rooting for their success.”

Gene Stechschulte Head Coach

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