Gadsden, AL – Today marked a momentous occasion for Gadsden State Community College as officials, students, and community members gathered to break ground for a new baseball-softball complex in the Gadsden Sports Park. The $10 million facility, funded by a bond approved in November by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, is set to revolutionize athletic and community engagement opportunities for the college and the broader Gadsden area.
Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, emphasized the significance of the complex as a recruitment tool for the college. “We recruit the athletes, who, in turn, encourage friends and family to attend Gadsden State,” she stated. “Expanding sports is beneficial for the College as it promotes school spirit and unity.”
The complex boasts an array of features designed to elevate the athletic and spectator experience. Highlights include a concourse between fields, full synthetic turf and bullpens, state-of-the-art LED lighting systems, locker rooms, concessions buildings, multi-stall restrooms, elevated bleachers, press boxes, chairback seating sections, and a covered hitting facility with synthetic turf lanes.
The collaboration between Gadsden State and the City of Gadsden is evident, with the city committing to funding new parking lots and a pedestrian bridge to enhance accessibility to the complex. Tim McCartney, a Gadsden native and member of the ACCS Board of Trustees, expressed his pride in the cooperative effort, highlighting the significance of community growth and prosperity.
Mayor Craig Ford echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the facility’s broader community impact. “This is phenomenal for all of us,” he remarked. “This is about all five counties that Gadsden State serves.”
The decision to reinstate baseball and softball teams at Gadsden State was met with enthusiasm. Blake Lewis, athletic director and head baseball coach, expressed gratitude for those making the complex a reality, emphasizing its role as a gathering place for the community.
Ryan Clark, head softball coach, echoed this sentiment, noting the complex’s importance in providing the best experience for athletes and students alike. Aidan Bee, a pitcher on the baseball team, and Chloe Gattis, a catcher on the softball team, expressed excitement about the future opportunities the complex will bring.
With Lathan Architects as the architect company and Kyser Construction as the contractor, the project is expected to be completed in early 2025, promising to be a beacon of pride for Gadsden State and a hub for student life.
For more information about Gadsden State athletics, visit GoCardinals.GadsdenState.edu.
