Michigan State University Athletics
MSU To Dedicate McLane Baseball Stadium on May 2
4/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 27, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University will formally dedicate the new McLane Baseball Stadium on Saturday, May 2 at 11:55 a.m., prior to the Spartans' 1:05 p.m. game with Penn State. Elizabeth and Drayton McLane, who provided the generous $4 million gift toward the new ballpark, will be on hand and honored prior to the game.
The dedication program will begin on the field at noon and will feature the McLane family, members of the MSU Board of Trustees, President Lou Anna K. Simon, Director of Athletics Mark Hollis, Spartan head coach Jake Boss Jr. and current and former Spartans.
The McLane family is synonymous with bringing new life to baseball programs as well as corporate endeavors. Since purchasing the Houston Astros in 1993 and assuming the role of Chairman and CEO, the Astros have won four National League Central Division titles, earned two Wild Card berths and appeared in the 2005 World Series. Over the last 11 seasons only three Major League Baseball clubs have had more postseason appearances. The McLane family also brought one the finest stadiums in the game to the franchise - the award-winning Minute Maid Park which is now in its 10th season.
Mr. McLane, who earned his master's in food marketing management from MSU in 1959, also serves as Chairman of McLane Group. During his years with the company - a subsidiary wholesale grocery distribution business - he enhanced its technology systems and added 16 distribution centers nationwide to expand its business from a $3 million a year operation into a $19 billion enterprise.
McLane Baseball Stadium is designed with 2,500 seats with 400 chair back seats and 2,100 bench-style seats, a new press box, backstops, all new fencing and handicap-accessible seating, with brick accents to architecturally match historic Jenison Field House and MSU's newly constructed hitting and pitching facility. The new spacious press box provides spectacular views of both Kobs Field and the surrounding picturesque Old College Field.
In addition to the stadium dedication, MSU will also celebrate and recognize the 125th anniversary of Spartan athletics and will acknowledge Old College Field as an official Michigan historical site. In December 2008, the Michigan Historical Commission approved a historical marker for MSU's oldest athletic facility still in use and the new marker will be unveiled in the May 2 pre-game ceremony.
Old College Field was purchased in 1900 for $1,137.50 and is currently home to the Spartan baseball, softball and soccer teams.
As part of the day's celebration and festivities, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative baseball. Other special giveaways for this historic occasion are also planned for throughout the game. Gates for Saturday's game will open at 11 a.m.
