Celebrating New Benedetti Diamond
10/7/2015 8:39:00 PM | Baseball, Facilities
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The USF athletic department celebrated the ongoing progress of its ambitious "Aim Higher" development campaign on Wednesday evening with a reception recognizing the individuals whose contributions and behind-the-scenes work have helped usher in the reality of the new Benedetti Diamond. In attendance were members of the USF Board of Trustees, the leadership team, members of the USF administration, athletic department personnel, and the USF baseball team.
The cocktail reception, which took place on the deck directly adjacent to and overlooking the construction of the new ballpark, featured speeches from the event's emcee, USF Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell, as well as USF President Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., Head Baseball Coach Nino Giarratano and chairman of the board of trustees, Tom Malloy '61, who, along with his wife, Sharon, offered USF the largest-ever gift of $5 million to help jumpstart the athletics capital campaign.
"If not for the great work of those in attendance here today, we wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to where we are," said Sidwell as he addressed the attendees. "It's been a process, but it started with a vision of where we want to go, and today is just the start. We have many other projects that are in place moving forward. We're here to thank those people whose generosity has helped turn this construction site into a point of pride for us."
"Our student-athletes that are here today: you've already built a great momentum," said President Fitzgerald, "and we're happy to give you an even better place to play. This facility will be an opportunity for the University of San Francisco to become even more of a destination for our city. This can be an opportunity for us to invite the city in to not only see you play, but also to experience real community."
"We're just so fortunate to be here," explained Giarratano. "I've come down here every day for the past two months and I'm in awe every day I walk down the steps and I stand on this terrace and look out. I have to pinch myself; I can't believe this is being built. It's a great opportunity and a great feeling. I hope [the student-athletes] learn to give back the way people in this audience have given back."
Construction of the diamond has been moving along swiftly since crews broke ground over the summer. The ballpark will be completed in two phases - phase one will feature the completion of the new playing surface, which has been reoriented from its original layout so that home plate will be located where the left field corner was previously. In addition, the entire field will be lowered by 18 inches. Phase one will also include the installation of the new FieldTurf playing surface, dugouts, part of the spectating and press box areas, new ticketing booths and concession structures.
The second phase of the project will include a new team clubhouse, which will include a team room, meeting room, locker room and training facility. Phase II plans also call for additional locker rooms and offices for other USF teams along with a hospitality deck for guests and donors.
The Dons open the 2016 season on the road at UC Santa Barbara Feb. 19-21, but will grace the new Benedetti Diamond for the first home games on Feb. 23-24 when they host Utah Valley for a two-game set.
Hornberger + Worstell, an architectural firm based in San Francisco, produced the Benedetti Diamond master plan. The firm is recognized for its expertise in the master planning and design of destination resorts, urban business and conference hotels, recreation and wellness facilities, academic and residential communities, as well as the rehabilitation and modernization of historic structures.
The Benedetti Diamond renovation project is the first of three proposed major facility projects which will significantly transform USF's athletic campus in the near future. In addition to the baseball facility, plans call for a significant upgrade to War Memorial Gymnasium, including the construction of a permanent club area on the west side of the facility, along with new office spaces, video room and training facilities. Plans have also been proposed for the construction of an indoor practice facility adjacent to Memorial Gym for both men's and women's basketball teams and for renovations to the Negoesco Stadium soccer facility.
For updates on the Benedetti Diamond renovation project, please go to usfdons.com/donsfacilities.
Support the Dons
The University of San Francisco is committed to developing athletic programs of national distinction while providing our student-athletes with a world-class educational experience at one of the nation's leading Jesuit institutions. USF Athletics is built upon Four Pillars of Success that aim to develop young men and women in this tradition: Excel in the Classroom; Win at the Highest Level of Competition; Engage in the Community: and Become Leaders in the World. By investing in the growth of our student-athletes, you help guarantee a lifetime of victories beyond the playing fields. For more information on how you can support USF Athletics, contact Flynn Ginty (fpginty@usfca.edu) or visit usfdons.com.
