Louisville Athletics held a press conference at Jim Patterson Stadium this afternoon to announce a $3 million donation made by Kroger. The money will go toward the construction of the indoor baseball facility that was announced at the 2020 Lead Off Dinner.
The donation will be paid over 10 years, with $300,000 contributed each year. Louisville is seeking additional donations prior to breaking ground. The facility is expected to cost around $12 million. There is not a timetable set for the project at this time, but the school hopes to break ground at the close of the 2022 season. The building will be between 28,000-35,000 square feet, large enough to contain an entire infield. It will allow an indoor space during inclement weather and also allows the Shad Mason Hack Shack to become a dedicated pitching lab.
Coach McDonnell said the following:
“This is a great day for the Louisville baseball program. Our program is all about excellence, a value that we share with Kroger. Excellence in the classroom, on the diamond, and in this great community. We want to express our gratitude to Ann Reed and the Kroger family for their commitment to Louisville baseball and our continued pursuit of excellence.”
Chrissy Banta