ABILENE – As the sun sets on another successful baseball regular season, the brightness of a new dawn is about to shine on Crutcher Scott Field.
Even as the team heads to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, Abilene Christian University will be diving into the first phase of a series of renovations at Crutcher Scott Field to improve the Wildcats' baseball facilities.
"ACU baseball is well on its way to becoming the premier faith-based college program in the country," said Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU president. "An improved Crutcher Scott Field will enhance our student-athlete experience, help attract increasingly talented athletes and non-conference opponents, and create a better fan experience. I'm excited about the potential for this upgraded venue to build community on campus and quicken ACU's path to a Division I regional and the College World Series."
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Gallery: (5-17-2024) ACU Baseball Facility Upgrades
Phase One of the construction will begin immediately after the season ends and will conclude in time for the 2025 home opener in February. The initial phase will address expanded player development, coaching and recruiting facilities, significantly upgrading the home team fan experience and expanding outdoor community space. Upgrades will include chairback seats and shade covering on the first base side.
"We are so excited about the recent commitment to enhance our facility and can't wait to kickstart the process that when completed will be one of the top facilities in the country," said ACU head baseball coach Rick McCarty. "I say it all of the time, but special people make special places. I can't express how grateful I am for the leadership here at ACU."
This baseball stadium improvement project is the second major component of the ACU Athletics Facility Master Plan developed in 2023 in partnership with engineering and design firm HOK. The upgrade will provide ACU baseball with a facility on par with any other mid-major baseball program in the country.
"ACU baseball has experienced an incredible upward trajectory both on and off the field under Rick McCarty's leadership," said ACU vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter. "I believe this significant facility investment will allow that momentum to continue and provide an environment where our student-athletes can grow in their faith, reach their potential in the classroom and compete for championships on the field. I am so grateful to our donor community that believes in this project and is making it a reality without utilizing any state or university funds. Go Wildcats!"
Donors have shown excitement to contribute. More than 25 lead donors have stepped forward to invest in this vision and to build momentum that will continue to carry the project forward as ACU creates opportunities to invite more ACU alumni, baseball lettermen and passionate fans to be a part of this exciting endeavor.
"It's very easy to support a program led by a man like Rick McCarty, who does exactly what he says he is going to do," said Bart Bourland, who has contributed to the project. "He develops young men spiritually, academically and athletically. As a parent of a former player of his, I've seen firsthand how my son grew and developed in all three of those areas because of Coach McCarty's leadership and mentoring. He has done an incredible job, and this new facility is the final piece of the puzzle to allow this program to go to the next level in recruiting and developing young men to not only have success in baseball, but in life."
This project is funded by ACU donors and brings the total cost of ACU athletics facilities built or renovated over the last 10 years to well over $125 million. These initiatives include Elmer Gray Stadium (2015), Wildcat Stadium (2017), Jones Tennis Facility (2018), softball batting cages (2019), Byron Nelson Golf Clubhouse (2020), Moody Coliseum (2022), and Wally Bullington Football Practice Facility (2023).
"It has been great to see so much support from the ACU family and our alumni," McCarty said. "Our staff is committed to working very hard to connect the past to the present, and this project has already tightened up those relationships. So many people have stepped up to make a vision become a reality. I can't wait to see the impact this project will have on our program and university in the years to come!"
Under McCarty's leadership, ACU baseball has a vision to be the best faith-based college baseball program in the country. The Wildcats have posted four consecutive 30-win seasons against an aggressive schedule that has brought five Power Five teams to Crutcher Scott Field for a dozen games since 2022. ACU is 6-6 in those games.
"Our goal is to win championships, but our mission is to develop young men into the future leaders of their families and communities," said McCarty. "We want to be known as a destination school for players who want to challenge themselves to develop as a student, person and player. Our new facility will provide areas for each guy to grow athletically, academically, as well as spiritually during their time here at ACU. When we started the discussion about what direction we wanted to go, our priorities were to create a first-class environment for our student-athletes to thrive in, along with enhancing the fan experience and creating an area where our players can maximize their abilities. I believe we hit it out of the park!"
To join the team in finishing the project or to learn of naming opportunities, contact Sam Ferguson, deputy athletic director for revenue generation at sfq23a@acu.edu.
ACU Baseball Highlights Since 2021
- Completed 1,000 hours of community service this academic year
- Cumulative GPA of 3.39 over the past 11 semesters
- Four players signed professional contracts in 2023, a university record
- Averaged 34 wins per year from 2021-23
- 101 wins over the last three seasons – the third most wins by a non-Power Five university (Dallas Baptist 121, Texas State 104)
- Nine wins over Power Five schools, the third most in the state (Texas State 12, Sam Houston State 10)
- Won 48% of games against Power Five schools from 2021-23
