LUBBOCK, Texas -- The National College Baseball Hall of Fame has been based in Lubbock, Texas, since its founding in 2004. However, on Tuesday, the dream of a permanent home devoted to recognizing and preserving the history of the game took a major step toward becoming reality.
The Moody Foundation, based in Galveston, Texas, awarded the Hall of Fame a $5 million capital campaign grant. The grant brings the total raised toward the campaign to approximately $7 million, not including the value of the land committed by the City of Lubbock. The total campaign goal is $13 million, with $9 million needed for facility construction and a $4 million endowment.
"This is a momentous day for our organization," said Mike Gustafson, executive director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. "This is a huge step forward for the capital campaign and the mission of the museum."
Supporting the College Baseball Hall of Fame and its mission of preservation and education was a natural fit for the foundation, said Frances Moody-Dahlberg, executive director of the Moody Foundation.
"The Moody Foundation has a long history of activities in Lubbock," she said. "The timing couldn't be more perfect to support the College Baseball Hall of Fame given the Moody history with baseball and economic development. The trustees and staff of the foundation are proud to support this important project."
Although the grant from the Moody Foundation is vital to the success of the capital campaign, local success also has been crucial, said Jana Howser, Hall of Fame vice president of development.
"Generous support from within Lubbock, across Texas and around the country are all important components in realizing this national treasure," Howser said. "The decision by the Moody Foundation to grant $5 million dollars is spectacular. We are immensely grateful for their generous decision and are excited about the road ahead."
The National College Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will be dedicated to preserving the artifacts and stories that tell the history of college baseball and to providing educational opportunities for visitors. The Hall of Fame complex also will include a baseball field for youth tournaments and other amateur baseball events.
"We look so forward to providing a world-class facility," Howser said. "The Moody Foundation Board of Trustees embraces the necessity of a proper national hall of fame that will educate the extraordinary history of college baseball."
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
"I learned a long time ago that everything we do is a value statement. A $5 million dollar gift by the Moody Foundation is an immense value statement about establishing a national home for college baseball's greatest history and the College Baseball Foundation."
-- Andy Lopez, head coach of the 2012 national champion Arizona Wildcats and
former head coach of 2012 CBHOF inductee and Florida Gator Brad Wilkerson
"What fantastic news! The College Baseball Hall of Fame facility becomes reality. Congratulations to all that have worked so hard to make it happen. Now the great game of college baseball and its history will finally have a proper home. This is truly a wonderful day for all who love the 'purest national pastime,' college baseball."
-- Gene Stephenson, head coach, Wichita State
"I am very excited and humbled by the generous donation that the Moody family is making to the CBF. It is greatly appreciated and they will always have a place in our hearts."
-- Brooks Kieschnick, 2006 Hall of Fame inductee
"What a great day for everyone involved in college baseball. This grant will now allow the College Baseball Foundation to get closer to achieving its dream. The building of the CBHOF and field will be a beautiful masterpiece that will honor the past, present and future players, coaches, and umpires of the great game of college baseball. I am honored and humbled to be a part of it."
-- Dick Runchey, regional adviser, NCAA Baseball Umpire Program
and recipient of the inaugural National Collegiate Umpire Award
"This is very exciting news. I always thought that working with foundations was the right way to go and I commend the Moody Foundation for their gift. There's no question that the construction process can begin soon. The people of Lubbock have been very supportive and college baseball will soon have a home for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame."
-- Skip Bertman, 2006 Hall of Fame inductee and honorary chair of the capital campaign