Cloud County
David Wilson, Sports Information Director
CONCORDIA — Cloud County Community College would like to invite fans and community members to the Open House and Dedication ceremony for the Dunning-Hamel Baseball Training Facility, set for Friday, April 20.
The event is scheduled from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. at the on-campus facility, located next to Parking Lot No. 1 by the sand volleyball court. Hot dogs, nachos and beverages will be provided.
Construction on the 5,250-square-foot indoor facility began on December 18 and became functional for use by players and coaches in early March.
Naming rights of the facility will be shared by Cloud County baseball alumnus Jim Dunning and Zach Hamel. Jim and Jill Dunning provided the lead donation of $100,000, which was matched with a gift from Hamel.
Dunning and Hamel are each expected to be in attendance for the ribbon cutting that Friday evening and to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Cloud County’s home doubleheader against Barton Community College at 1 p.m. Saturday.
In total, 212 donations were received from supporters and all funds were managed by the Cloud County Community College Foundation.
“The Cloud County baseball family has stepped up almost immediately to support this project, and their generosity has been incredible,” Cloud County head baseball coach Eric Gilliland said in January.
“In particular, Jim and Zach have committed themselves as key supporters of our baseball program and Cloud County Community College. I can’t thank them and all of the Cloud County baseball family enough. We will continue to work tirelessly to make our baseball program a point of pride at the college and in the community.”
The facility, which will be used by the Cloud County baseball and softball teams, is a game-changer for the programs as it allows 24-hour access to full length batting cages, indoor pitching mounds and ample space for indoor practices and individual workouts.