Sept. 13, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State baseball program reflected on its history and discussed its future this past weekend, at the 2005 Baseball Alumni Weekend. Generations of Spartan alumni reunited and were honored at the home football game against Hawaii Saturday afternoon. The weekend consisted of golf and tailgating, but one of the main focuses of the weekend was the Old College Field Project, which seeks to raise $4 million for improvements to all venues at the complex, including baseball, softball and soccer.

Scheduled improvements include: a new grandstand for baseball, covered hitting facilities for baseball and softball, new outfield fencing for Kobs Field, new stands for soccer, new centralized concessions and restroom facilities, lighting for the complex and an enhanced entrance way/plaza. The "New Life for Old College Field" project is part of the university-wide capital campaign, "The Campaign for MSU," with a goal to raise $1.2 billion.

Originally purchased for $1,137.50 in 1900, Old College Field became one of MSU's first athletic facilities, serving as home to the Spartan football team from 1902-1922.

Several guest speakers took the stage Saturday at the pre-game tailgate to talk about the project and what lies ahead for Spartan baseball. Detroit Tigers bench coach, Spartan legend, and national co-chair for the fund-raising campaign for Old College Field, Kirk Gibson was the keynote speaker at Saturday's event. Along with Gibson co-chairing the project is MSU product, St. Louis Cardinals' Mark Mulder.

Gibson was a standout at MSU in both football and baseball and was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers. He spent 17 seasons in the major leagues collecting 1988 National League MVP honors and two World Championships with the 1984 Tigers and 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I'm very indebted and grateful to Michigan State University," Gibson said. "It was probably one of the greatest times in my whole life. MSU gave me an opportunity to pursue my dreams and now, I want to help preserve those opportunities for others who attend this great institution."

"Throughout my collegiate and professional career, I learned the value and importance of teamwork and that's why I want to assist in upgrading the athletic facilities at Michigan State. The other neat thing about this project is that it benefits male and female, scholarship and non-scholarship student-athletes alike."

First-year head coach David Grewe also shared his thoughts about the project, the weekend, as well as what is in store for Spartan baseball.

"This is a very special day for our program," stated Grewe. "I am so excited at where our program is going, for all the alumni, and the spirit of Michigan State baseball. "The alumni, Kirk Gibson; what a great guy; they are all so very proud of where they came from."

"New beginnings are great because you can accomplish so many great things," Grewe added. "We can't do it alone; we are going to need all the support from our alumni, the families, all of the supporters of the program. Championships are won by a team and our team is not just the players and the coaches, it's the whole Michigan State baseball family."

In its fifth year, fund-raising efforts for Old College Field are still underway and gifts and pledges are being accepted. Special donor recognition and memorial opportunities are available for major donors to the project. For further information regarding the Old College Field project, please contact: Assistant Athletics Director for Development Chuck Sleeper, Michigan State University, 225 Jenison Field House, East Lansing, MI 48824; or call, (517) 432-4633.