Asbury Dedicates Bowdoin Athletic Practice Facility

March 31, 2018

March 31, 2018

WILMORE, Ky. — The Asbury University Athletics Department kicked off Easter weekend with the opening of the Bowdoin Athletic Practice Facility, unveiled on Saturday at a special dedication ceremony. It’s certainly been a blessed week for the Department as just two days prior, Asbury hired former SEC Associate Commissioner Mark Whitworth as the new Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Located between the softball and baseball fields in the middle of the Kirkland Complex on the Asbury campus, the newest facility will provide a space for those respective teams to practice. Inside, there are batting cages, nets, artificial surface and white paneled walls. The facility will primarily be used for the baseball and softball teams to practice hitting but, other outdoor sports teams can also workout in the facility when it’s available. See photo gallery below.

The Kirkland Complex renovations were part of the University’s strategic plan to boost and grow the Athletic Department, specifically the baseball and softball programs. The final part of the building project will be completed, pending funding, by adding restrooms, locker rooms and a concession area.

Asbury University President Sandra C. Gray and other University officials made remarks during the dedication, along with student-athletes Kamry Wells ’20, Alyssa Gaines ’18 and Colton Back ’20.

“We’re very excited about the continued expansion of our Athletic Department and facilities, presenting expanded growth opportunities for student-athletes in team building, discipline, faith and leadership,” Dr. Gray said. “The Bowdoin Athletic Practice Facility will aid the Athletic Department in advancing an internal spirit of community.”

The major renovations of the Kirkland Complex were originally unveiled in 2014 and included new lighting and fencing, dugout upgrades, backstop and warning tracks, bleacher and press box upgrades for softball, a laser-graded field with new sod, as well as a press box and stadium seating for baseball.

Similar to the Kirkland Complex, the Bowdoin Athletic Practice Facility is named after a family with a longstanding Asbury connection. The University’s relationship with the Bowdoins spans 70 years and dates back to the late 1940s.

Dr. Herbert L. Bowdoin ’51 was a colleague and dear friend to Rev. Jiles E. Kirkland ‘50 from early childhood and throughout their ministries. His children and grandchildren later attended Asbury. Notably, his son Mike Bowdoin ‘86 played on the University’s first intercollegiate baseball team.

The Bowdoin Athletic Practice Facility will alleviate some of the crowding in Asbury’s Luce Physical Activities Center where many outdoor teams practice during the winter.

“The addition of this facility will give a great opportunity to some of our athletic teams to have a place to practice during bad weather and winter months,” said Dr. Mark Troyer, Asbury’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Partnerships. “Our athletic program, especially our baseball and softball teams, will have a useful facility that will also be attractive to prospective student-athletes.”

Learn more about Asbury University athletics.