Concordia University

AUSTIN, Texas—Concordia University Texas received a $300,000 gift from former Concordia (formerly Concordia Lutheran College) baseball player, Scott Linebrink and his family. The gift will go towards the completion of the University’s new baseball field. Linebrink is currently a pitcher with the Chicago White Sox organization.

“It is an honor for me to give back to a program that has meant so much to me over the years,” Linebrink said. “I learned so many life lessons while I was at Concordia that I cherish and will pass on to my children.”

Linebrink is involved with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Mission and the ALS Foundation for Life. Former head coach James Keller, who Linebrink pitched for during the 1993 to 1995 seasons, died of ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig ’s disease, in 1999 after seven years at the helm of the Concordia baseball program.

Concordia’s final baseball game on the University’s former campus was played at Keller-Faszholz Field on April 19, 2008. Linebrink’s number seven was retired in 2002 and was hung along the outfield fence at Keller-Faszholz Field along with Coach Keller’s number 19. 

“We are grateful to Scott and Kelly Linebrink for their commitment and dedication to our baseball field project as well as their belief in our University Mission of Developing Christian Leaders. Having a former student athlete support our University in this way, shows the type of experience Concordia provides and that it is meeting its mission”, stated Athletic Director, Dan Huntley.

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.

In May, Concordia announced the hiring of former Major League pitcher, Tommy Boggs as the next head baseball coach at Concordia. Boggs takes over the program after Mike Gardner announced that he was transitioning to a full-time teaching position at the University in April. Gardner currently sits as the all-time career leader in wins at Concordia with 241 wins.

Also in May, Concordia received a $1.5-million donation for the school’s new baseball field. Given by donors who wish to remain anonymous, it is the largest single gift in the history of the University. With both donations, 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. 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.