Dedication Friday, Dec. 3 at 11:30
Kentucky Wesleyan College will dedicate their new athletic facility, located on the campus next to Panther Park (baseball), on Friday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m. A tour of the new Panther Indoor Hitting Facility will follow the public ceremony.
The renovation project of the former Playhouse was made possible by a generous donation from the Michael E. Horn Family Foundation. The Playhouse, built in 1967, housed the drama and speech department where many theatre productions and one-act plays took place.
"The generosity of the Horn Family Foundation will provide our Panther baseball and softball programs an opportunity to attract first-class student-athletes necessary to compete in the tough Great Lakes Valley Conference," said
Gary Gallup, director of athletics.
The 6,025 square-foot, all-weather practice facility includes two hitting bays, an indoor fielding surface and a pitching bay along with offices, dressing rooms, rest rooms, laundry and storage areas.
Head coaches
Todd Lillpop (baseball) and
Miles Mallette (softball) believe this indoor facility will be an integral part of both programs future successes.
"The student-athletes now have a place they can call home and use this facility whenever they want," stated Lillpop. "They have dreamed of a facility like this for a long time. It has already provided great assistance in recruiting new student-athletes."
Mallette added, "Our Panther teams can now become as good as they strive to be with this year-round hitting, throwing and fielding facility regardless of season and/or weather conditions. One of the greatest assets this complex provides is the multi-use from 15 to 20 players at one time. It's remarkable."
Kentucky Wesleyan College President Cheryl King said this first-rate facility would not be possible without dedicated donors and supporters.
“All of us at Kentucky Wesleyan College extend our thanks to the Horn Family Foundation for their gift. This is a tremendous asset to our entire athletic program."
The baseball and softball teams open their 2010 seasons in mid-February.