Carthage opens first-class 垒球 stadium

At the dedication for 威尔斯 Family Stadium Barbara Madrigrano Field, members of the Carthage 垒球 team pose for a team picture with lead donor 大卫·C. 威尔斯 ' 98和他的家人.

Carthage has officially opened its new, first-class varsity 垒球 设施, holding a ceremony to dedicate the newly named 威尔斯 Family Stadium Barbara Madrigrano Field.

总统 约翰吞下 declared the Firebirds’ home venue open for play on Sept. 29, almost two years to the date after the college embarked on a broad-based fundraising effort. The dramatic upgrades raise the 垒球 stadium to match the championship caliber of all other facilities in Carthage’s NCAA Division III athletic program.

An aerial view of 威尔斯 Family Stadium Barbara Madrigrano Field. The stadium and playing surface are named for longtime Carthage supporters who provided the project’s two lead gifts. The contributions count toward the $100 million goal that Carthage recently established for its ongoing fundraising campaign, 主题 “传播的光”.”

“Today marks a great day, as we honor the Madrigrano and 威尔斯 families,” 总统 Swallow said. “The spirit of Carthage 体育运动 lives on through those whose gifts enable us to match excellent students with excellent facilities.”

The starter funding included major commitments of $1 million from the institution and $250,000英镑，来自老格伦. Barbara Madrigrano. 响应号召, other donors pitched in an additional $519,000美元，领头的是300美元,大卫送了1000英镑的礼物. 威尔斯 ' 98和他的家人.

“This stadium represents a shared belief that sports are a powerful tool for education, teaching important life skills such as leadership, 毅力, 和团队合作,”先生说。. 他在博彩网址大全服役 校董会. “It stands as a testament to the power of sports to unite our community, 灌输的价值观, 创造永恒的记忆.”

At a dedication ceremony for the 垒球 field named in her honor, Barbara Madrigrano (right) stands with her son Glenn Jr., her daughter Mia Hughes, and Firebirds mascot Ember. As founder and president of Satori Energy, Mr. 威尔斯 has delivered innovative solutions in the energy industry for more than 20 years. 总部位于芝加哥, his company acquired 14 other energy companies before merging into Texas-based Priority Power Management in 2021. He has continued to oversee Satori and its affiliated brands.

Mr. 威尔斯, who competed in basketball for Carthage, has given extensively to the college and its athletic endowment. 以他的名义, the Firebirds annually present the David 威尔斯 Captain’s Award to a men’s basketball player.

作为C的第三代领导人.J.W. 公司.——老格伦·马德里格拉诺. significantly raised the profile of the family beer distributorship. 他于2022年去世, and the naming of Barbara Madrigrano Field fulfills his wish for a lasting testament to his wife.

大卫·C. 威尔斯 ’98 spoke at the dedication for 威尔斯 Family Stadium on Sept. 29, 2023. Their generosity extends a family tradition of giving to Carthage. At the opposite end of campus from the field, Madrigrano Family Residence Hall is named in honor of Mr. Madrigrano’s parents, Joseph and Shirley, who were also longtime supporters of the college.

Glenn Barbara Madrigrano have given toward almost every sport at Carthage. They previously established an endowment fund for the baseball team, and an annual award is presented in their name to the player who most inspires his teammates.

Their daughter Mia Hughes spoke at the dedication.

“We hope that this beautiful 设施 will attract the attention of all who pass by on Sheridan Road,”她说。, “and that many future generations of young women will envision themselves as Firebirds playing 垒球 here and see Mom’s name as they’re running to first base.”

Other speakers included Carthage’s director of athletics, Ryan Kane; head 垒球 coach Amy Gillmore ’94; Krystina Leazer ’14, a 2023 inductee into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame; and junior infielder Sarah Bennett. The Firebirds have begun fall workouts in preparation for the spring 2024 schedule — the 27th season for Coach Gillmore.

The renovations have greatly improved the on-field experience, making Carthage eligible to host postseason 垒球 tournaments. 工作人员安装人造草皮, enabling the team to practice and play reliably when weather conditions fluctuate. The new stadium also features bullpens and batting cages, along with upgrades to the dugouts and scoreboard.

Fundraising continues for other potential amenities, 比如额外的座位, 新闻发布室, 还有一个小卖部.

Light That Travels: Learn More 关于 The Campaign