Construction of Bobbie Bailey Athletic Complex under way

For many years‚ the baseball and softball programs at Kennesaw State University have cultivated a well−deserved reputation for excellence among their NCAA Division II brethren. Soon‚ these two teams will have a home worthy of their lofty stature.

Georgia (Dec 9, 2002) — For many years‚ the baseball and softball programs at Kennesaw State University have cultivated a well−deserved reputation for excellence among their NCAA Division II brethren. Soon‚ these two teams will have a home worthy of their lofty stature.



Ground was broken recently on the Bobbie Bailey Athletic Complex‚ a 20‚000 square−foot‚ state−of−the−art facility to be located between the softball and baseball fields on the Kennesaw State campus. It will be named for Dr. Bobbie Bailey‚ a member of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees and holder of an honorary doctorate from the institution. She was on hand for the Dec. 12 ceremony‚ along with President Betty L. Siegel‚ Regent Michael J. Coles and many friends of the university.



In her opening remarks‚ Siegel referred to Bailey as "a long marcher for this university: an inspiration to our women’s athletic teams‚ a wise counselor on the development of our athletic programs‚ a valued member of the foundation. She was the primary catalyst behind this drive for a new athletic complex on our campus. Indeed‚ she made the original $1 million challenge gift that inspired others to do it‚ dollar for dollar‚ and a little beyond."



In addition to Bailey’s gift and other generous donations made through the "Step Up to the Plate" campaign‚ of which Bailey was honorary chair‚ the university committed $1 million to help make the project a reality. The facility will be the first on campus dedicated solely to the athletic program.



"The degree of collaboration between the booster club‚ the foundation and the university was just something to see‚" said Earle Holley‚ vice president for business and finance. "And the individuals from each of those respective groups‚ the tenacity – trying to get everything they could out of that dollar – it was just a pleasure to be around them."



When completed in August 2003‚ the complex will feature office and locker room space for both the softball and baseball programs‚ along with a multi−purpose suite named for Bill and Sylvia Teasley — two major contributors to the project. Also incorporated into the design will be the home dugout for the softball team‚ as well as stadium seating for softball and a finite number of VIP seats for both fields.



"Today is a great day to be a Kennesaw State Owl‚" said softball coach Scott Whitlock‚ who has won two national championships during his tenure as head coach. "I’m in my 18th year here. When I got here‚ we didn’t even have a fast−pitch program; we didn’t even have a field."



The KSU athletic program has made tremendous strides since those days‚ and Whitlock‚ echoing other speakers‚ made sure to mention the numerous people who have helped out along the way. He had special praise for Bailey and the contributions she has made‚ not just to his own team‚ but women’s athletics in general.



"For many‚ many years‚ Dr. Bailey has stood behind women’s athletics‚ and saw to it that those who might not have got an opportunity did get an opportunity‚" he said. "And she’s continuing that in this endeavor. I’m very proud to be associated with Dr. Bailey; I’m a great admirer of hers‚ and I know that she has been a shepherd of my task here at Kennesaw State.



"Some people talk the talk‚" Whitlock added‚ "but Dr. Bailey has walked the walk in just about every arena she’s ever entered."



Baseball coach Mike Sansing‚ himself a two−time national champion since taking over the baseball program in 1992‚ shared Whitlock’s enthusiasm for the new facility‚ noting‚ "It was a team effort‚ and I feel like today we’re celebrating a national championship."

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.