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Baseball Park and Plaza
The Becker Park and Lynch Plaza baseball facilities on the SJU campus began construction in 2013, as well as the new Haugen Field, which includes state-of-the-art features such as an artificial SprinTurf surface to allow teams to play in wet conditions, spacious dugout, bullpens, and batting cages, as well as stadium lights for late games. The facilities concluded construction in 2016 as a part of the Forward Ever Forward campaign.
In addition to the improved athletics features, the 500-seat grandstand and press box also has standing room for an additional 200 fans, the new Lynch Plaza includes spaces for concessions, ticketing, and restrooms.
The park and grandstand were named in honor of Scott Becker ’77 and his family. Scott was a student athlete during his time at SJU and an advocate for the building of the new facilities. The plaza was named for Pat Lynch ’88, who is a loyal fan of SJU athletics and an active alumnus, in addition to funding an endowed scholarship in memory of his uncle William Drahota.
The baseball field itself was dedicated to Jerry Haugen, who graduated from SJU in 1976. In the fall of 2016, Haugen completed his 41st season on the SJU football staff, and in the spring of 2016 completed his 40th season as the head coach of SJU’s baseball team.
The new park and plaza were dedicated and blessed on May 7, 2016.
In 2023, construction began on a new baseball clubhouse. The clubhouse was designed to be 7,540 square feet, with space for lockers, showers, a training room, laundry facilities and office space. The rooftop deck will also serve as a space for tailgating and viewing baseball games.
Bibliography:
“Generosity Opens Doors at SJU’s New Baseball Clubhouse,”Saint John’s Magazine, Winter/Spring 2023, p. 03.
Killeen, Mike. “Haugen Field: Celebrating a Successful Coach’s Many Contributions,” Saint John’s Magazine, Winter/Spring 2017, p. 30.
“Athletic complex near complete,” The Record, September 30, 2016, p. 10.
“Thanks to—and for—a new ballpark,” Saint John’s Magazine, Winter/Spring 2016, p. 14.
“Becker Park and Lynch Plaza Dedication,” Saint John’s Magazine, Summer/Fall 2016, p. 30.
See Also:
“SJU baseball unveils new clubhouse,” The Record, February 29, 2024, p. 09.
“Play Ball!” Saint John’s Magazine, January 3013, p. 31.
“SJU plans facilities overhaul,” The Record, April 27, 2012, p. 10.
Text drafted by Olivia Schleper ’23