AUSTIN—Concordia University Texas received a $1.5-million donation for the school's new baseball field. Given by donors who wish to remain anonymous, this is the largest single gift in the history of Concordia University Texas.

“This is an incredible gift that allows Concordia to continue on its transformational journey that began with the campus relocation,” Dr. Tom Cedel, President of Concordia University Texas, said. “We thank God for all of the gifts He has given us during this process.”

With this donation, Concordia has in hand more than 50 percent of the total funds needed for the design and construction of the University's baseball complex, which will include a playing field, lights, covered grandstands and concession areas. The school has already installed lights for the field.

Design of the new field is underway and Concordia officials say elements will be incorporated to honor former coaches Faszholz and Keller for whom the much-loved Keller-Faszholz Field (on the University's former campus) was named. The retired numbers of former Coach Keller and player Scott Linebrink will be placed on the outfield fence. Construction of the new field, which has not yet been named, will begin as soon as permitting is complete; completion is expected in mid-January 2010.

Concordia's final baseball game on the University's former campus was played at Keller-Faszholz Field on April 19, 2008. Since then, the school's baseball team has played home games at Nelson Field and Dell Diamond.

“Our baseball program has a great tradition of winning and has produced a strong network of alumni that were proud of the old field; this gift has provided us the opportunity to build a new, high-quality baseball facility for our student athletes and alumni to be proud of,” Dan Huntley, Athletic Director of Concordia University Texas, said. “Although it has been challenging practicing and playing at multiple sites since the move to the new campus, I am excited to provide our student athletes a field they can once again call home. I am pleased to be part of a progressive University and look forward to opening this facility in 2010.”

In April 2009, Concordia announced that after 10 seasons Baseball Coach Mike Gardner would transition to a full-time teaching position within the Kinesiology Department at the University. Gardner had 241 career wins at Concordia, making him the all-time wins leader in the University's history. Concordia plans to name the new Baseball Coach within the next few days.