| GWU hosts groundbreaking ceremony for new Brinkley Softball Stadium |
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 Architect rendering
In June, the University announced plans for the construction of a new women’s softball stadium, to be built in the same location as the current field and named after lead donors David and Marie Brinkley, owners of Brinkley Financial Group, based in Kings Mountain, N.C.
Brinkley Softball Stadium will include spacious new dugouts, permanent seating for 350 spectators, a concession stand, and press box, which will house a main working area and two broadcast booths to accommodate radio and video operations. In addition, a new building behind the first base dugout will offer space for coaches’ offices, a locker room, conference room, and athletic training area. A practice facility will be built behind the outfield fence to offer athletes additional opportunities to train, even during times of inclement weather.
“This is a project many years in the making, and we are very fortunate and thankful for the Brinkleys’ generosity in offering the lead gift for this new stadium,” said Chuck Burch, vice president for athletics. “Very soon, Gardner-Webb softball will play in one of the finest stadiums in the region. Our student athletes deserve the opportunity to compete in a first-class facility, and this project signals that opportunity.”
Head Softball Coach Tom Cole, who recently began his 15th year as head coach of the GWU softball program, believes current, future, and even previous players will be inspired by the project.
“Each player in our program will be thrilled to play in the new facility and every future player will be ecstatic to join a program with a ballpark of this caliber,” Cole shared. “Every former player will be proud to return to campus and see what we now have here. This is an exciting time for Gardner-Webb softball.”
The Brinkley family hopes their lead gift will inspire others to get involved and support the project. “I challenge others to look at the current field, consider the type of facility that is being planned, and step up with a donation to the project,” David Brinkley said. “Marie and I have always believed that in order to receive blessings, you must first bless others. When you have a chance to serve an institution whose values and mission lines up perfectly with your own, that’s exactly what you should do. We firmly believe this project will breed a winning atmosphere.”
Provided by Nikki Bliss-Carroll
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