The University of Minnesota Crookston Athletic Department held a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new press box and clubhouse at the UMC Baseball Field on Saturday before their annual alumni baseball game.
The new press box sits along the third base side of the backstop and has ample room for the public address announcer, scoreboard, statistician, and radio. The clubhouse is located on the lower level with couches, chairs, and lockers.
Clarke Peterson, a junior catcher from East Grand Forks majoring in sports and rec management, said the clubhouse is a great asset for the team. “There is nothing better than having a clubhouse, we can hang out, build camaraderie, and having it right on the field is awesome.”
The annual alumni game was a part of the homecoming festivities this year and brought the alumni back not only for baseball but a celebration of all UMC athletics. Peterson said the foundation the alumni have laid is important the team. “There is nothing more important to this program than our alumni. They laid all the pavers, the brick stones, they showed us how to do it the Golden Eagle way and now it’s our time to take that and seize the day.”
The baseball alumni, who always support the current team, are donating a plaque this year that will list the programs past and future trips to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference baseball tournament at the field. Baseball has previously qualified for the NSIC tournament in 2001, 2016 and 2017. Along with baseball alumni from volleyball and softball also had gatherings during homecoming. For a recap of the homecoming football game, click on Sports.
The ribbon cutting for the new UMC Pressbox/clubhouse on Saturday morning
The UMC Baseball team and alumni in front of the press box/clubhouse
