Lehigh Baseball Formally Announces Naming of J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park
3/24/2017 11:52:00 AM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After completing a major renovation project in 2015, the Lehigh University baseball field and complex will undergo further expansions and take on a new name in 2017.
J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park will be the new name for the home of the Mountain Hawks as they open their 2017 home slate this weekend with a four-game series against NJIT. Along with a new name, the complex will undergo improvements to both the functional use of the field and the aesthetics of the facility to improve the overall experience of playing and viewing a game at the complex.
The naming and latest improvements to the facility have been made possible due to the significant contributions of Dr. Neal and Dr. Jim Walker. Neal is a Lehigh alumnus and both brothers grew up as childhood friends of Lehigh baseball head coach Sean Leary. Their father, Dr. J. David Walker, was a highly respected engineering professor at Lehigh University. After his passing, the Walkers felt compelled to recognize their father for his contributions to Lehigh and decided to do so by naming the baseball field in his honor.
"We felt compelled to contribute the funds to this important project to honor our father's commitment to teaching in the classroom and on the field. He had a true passion for teaching and was always selfless when it came to coaching both of us in baseball," stated Jim and Neal Walker. "He taught us both an unending love of learning both in the classroom and in our sports endeavors. We felt that naming the field in his honor was the perfect reflection of his passion for teaching and enables others to do to what they love."
As for the improvements to the field itself, the list will include a new outfield fence, a new scoreboard and upgrades made to the batter's eye in center field. The area surrounding J. David Walker Field will undergo aesthetic upgrades which include entranceway signage, improvements to the entrance walkway, signage to recognize program accomplishments (championships and postseason appearances), a donor recognition plaza and a covered pavilion for fans and alumni to gather.
"I am truly humbled that Neal and Jim have chosen the Lehigh baseball complex as a way that they would honor their father," said Leary. "My older brother and I 'grew up together' with Neal and Jim and our parents played such an integral role in our lives. In particular, our dads coached us in every sport and so Neal and Jim felt strongly that naming the baseball field would be an amazing tribute to their father's legacy. I know it will put a smile on my face every day when I enter the complex through the archways and see J. David Walker Field."
The bulk of the construction for the field and complex upgrades can be expected to begin in the summer of 2017 and will be completed in time for the start of the 2017-18 academic year. The naming of the field as "J. David Walker Field" will take effect immediately.
The baseball facility has seen a number of drastic changes in the last few years. Before the start of the 2015 season, the complex went from being known as Goodman Campus Baseball Field to Legacy Park as funds for renovations were contributed by baseball alumni and donors. The upgrades to the field included a synthetic turf infield, larger and enhanced dugouts, bullpens and batting cages. The backstop wire screens were replaced with a modern cable and netting system. The addition of modern stands and a functional press box were also installed to enhance the Lehigh baseball experience for all.
The Mountain Hawks will open competition under the name of "J. David Walker Field" for the first time on Saturday. Lehigh is slated to host NJIT in a four-game series with a pair of doubleheaders scheduled to start at 12 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
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J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park will be the new name for the home of the Mountain Hawks as they open their 2017 home slate this weekend with a four-game series against NJIT. Along with a new name, the complex will undergo improvements to both the functional use of the field and the aesthetics of the facility to improve the overall experience of playing and viewing a game at the complex.
The naming and latest improvements to the facility have been made possible due to the significant contributions of Dr. Neal and Dr. Jim Walker. Neal is a Lehigh alumnus and both brothers grew up as childhood friends of Lehigh baseball head coach Sean Leary. Their father, Dr. J. David Walker, was a highly respected engineering professor at Lehigh University. After his passing, the Walkers felt compelled to recognize their father for his contributions to Lehigh and decided to do so by naming the baseball field in his honor.
"We felt compelled to contribute the funds to this important project to honor our father's commitment to teaching in the classroom and on the field. He had a true passion for teaching and was always selfless when it came to coaching both of us in baseball," stated Jim and Neal Walker. "He taught us both an unending love of learning both in the classroom and in our sports endeavors. We felt that naming the field in his honor was the perfect reflection of his passion for teaching and enables others to do to what they love."
As for the improvements to the field itself, the list will include a new outfield fence, a new scoreboard and upgrades made to the batter's eye in center field. The area surrounding J. David Walker Field will undergo aesthetic upgrades which include entranceway signage, improvements to the entrance walkway, signage to recognize program accomplishments (championships and postseason appearances), a donor recognition plaza and a covered pavilion for fans and alumni to gather.
"I am truly humbled that Neal and Jim have chosen the Lehigh baseball complex as a way that they would honor their father," said Leary. "My older brother and I 'grew up together' with Neal and Jim and our parents played such an integral role in our lives. In particular, our dads coached us in every sport and so Neal and Jim felt strongly that naming the baseball field would be an amazing tribute to their father's legacy. I know it will put a smile on my face every day when I enter the complex through the archways and see J. David Walker Field."
The bulk of the construction for the field and complex upgrades can be expected to begin in the summer of 2017 and will be completed in time for the start of the 2017-18 academic year. The naming of the field as "J. David Walker Field" will take effect immediately.
The baseball facility has seen a number of drastic changes in the last few years. Before the start of the 2015 season, the complex went from being known as Goodman Campus Baseball Field to Legacy Park as funds for renovations were contributed by baseball alumni and donors. The upgrades to the field included a synthetic turf infield, larger and enhanced dugouts, bullpens and batting cages. The backstop wire screens were replaced with a modern cable and netting system. The addition of modern stands and a functional press box were also installed to enhance the Lehigh baseball experience for all.
The Mountain Hawks will open competition under the name of "J. David Walker Field" for the first time on Saturday. Lehigh is slated to host NJIT in a four-game series with a pair of doubleheaders scheduled to start at 12 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates and content.
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