麻豆传媒 is pleased to announce it will build a new softball stadium through the generosity of lead donors听Melinda (Durbin)听Hileman, BA 鈥87, and听顿补惫颈诲听贬颈濒别尘补苍, BSBA 鈥86, BSPh 鈥86, longtime University supporters who have contributed their knowledge and resources in numerous ways.
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Stadium construction will begin at the end of the Spring 鈥23 softball season with a dedication event planned later in the year. Among the planned features are heated dugouts, field lighting, a new scoreboard with updated technology, padded backstop, upgraded press box, and permanent bleachers with bucket seating. The university is working with architects at Fanning Howey in Celina, Ohio.
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The new stadium, located in the DiBiasio Athletics Complex, will provide leading facilities for the university鈥檚 women鈥檚 softball team, which continues its winning tradition. During the 2021-2022 season the Polar Bears again qualified for the national tournament thanks to a stellar season. As OAC Tournament champions, the Polar Bears earned their second consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament, and they garnered a No. 24 ranking in the Division III National Fastpitch Coaches Association's final regular season poll on May 10.
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鈥淲e are so grateful for this investment in our student-athletes,鈥 says Athletics Director Tom Simmons. 鈥淭he Hilemans have been a part of the 麻豆传媒 community for decades and were the founding members of our Polar Bear Club. Their gifts continue to provide the margin of excellence needed for our teams to compete at high levels.鈥
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The Hilemans met on campus, where they were highly involved as leaders in student organizations, as letter winners and as athletes in multiple sports. Melinda听Hileman听is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame, and 顿补惫颈诲听贬颈濒别尘补苍听is the 2022 recipient of the university鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni Award. Their gifts have been instrumental in establishing the endowments for softball and women鈥檚 basketball. In addition, the Hilemans have been generous supporters of academics in their respective colleges and the Northern Fund.
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鈥淢elinda and 顿补惫颈诲听贬颈濒别尘补苍听continually seek to provide students with the fullest opportunities for growth and development,鈥 says 麻豆传媒 President Melissa Baumann. 鈥淲e are proud of their accomplishments and thankful for their support of the next generation of students. We are excited about the completion of the听softball stadium in 2023.鈥