Baseball Southern Conference

Wofford Breaks Ground On New Baseball Field

A commitment in excess of $1 million from a trustee and former Terrier
baseball player made it possible for Wofford College to hold a
groundbreaking ceremony today for its new on-campus baseball field.

The Wofford Board of Trustees approved the $1.8 million project, which
will bear the name of Russell C. King Field. The remainder of the funds
is expected to be raised in the next few weeks. The new field will be
located at the current baseball facility on campus. A former chairman,
King has served on the Wofford Board of Trustees for 22 years.

Russell C. King '56 made it possible for NCAA baseball to return to
campus after an eight-year absence. Since beginning Division I play in
1996, Wofford had played its games off-campus at Duncan Park, a former
minor league baseball facility. The Terriers' existing baseball field
did not meet Division I standards.

"We very much appreciate the generosity of Mr. King in enabling us to
have a first-class field on campus," Wofford baseball coach Steve
Traylor said. "This will provide our student-athletes with a tremendous
baseball experience, and the field will certainly enhance our recruiting
efforts.

"Russell C. King Field is for our student body, providing another
opportunity for the Wofford community to come together."

The Terriers will begin play at Russell C. King Field next season when
they host South Carolina on Feb. 7 in the 2004 opener.

Lights will be installed at Russell C. King Field with the first-ever
night game at Wofford slated for Mar. 10 when the Terriers host Clemson
at 7 p.m.

"Wofford has been envied and praised for the number of gathering spaces
on our campus where students and faculty can interact," Wofford
president Dr. Benjamin Dunlap said. "There could be no better
springtime addition to that list than a handsome, centrally-located
baseball facility -- and that is what Russell C. King and other generous
donors are making possible.

"As a sometime Yankee fan, it pains me that no one remembers King Kong
Keller. But, as an ardent Terrier supporter, it gives me real
satisfaction to know future generations will recognize the name of one
of the best power hitters in Wofford's history. Russell King used to
launch homers over the railroad tracks and, according to a legendary
account for which there are several purported eyewitnesses, one of his
shots fell into a coal car and traveled all the way to Arizona -- surely
the longest home run on record!

"Russell C. King Field will be as significant an addition to our campus
as Russell himself was to Wofford baseball in the 1950s."

King is part of a three generation family at Wofford that also includes
an athletic background. His father, Russell Calvin King '29, played
baseball and football for the Terriers as did one of his four uncles who
attended Wofford. King's son, Russell C. King, III '81, is also a
Wofford graduate.

"I've been a long-time advocate of bringing baseball back to campus,"
King said. "Back in my day, and in the future, a lot of students would
come and watch at least part of the game. It was a good atmosphere and
a place for students to gather.

"This will be a first-class facility and will have a significant impact
on the beauty and activity for that corner of the Wofford campus. This
is something I was prepared to do and wanted to do. It will help us
attract some quality opponents and we'll be able to have some night
games. As a former player, I'm excited about having a new field for our
program."

Other components of the new facility include a major gift from Toccoa
Switzer and her family for the construction of the seating area, which
will have 900 permanent seats located behind home plate. Grass banks
behind each dugout will bring total capacity to 2,500. A series of
rocking chairs, overlooking the field, will highlight the plaza area.

The Switzer family also has a long relationship with Wofford, spanning
four generations. Toccoa Switzer is a former member of the Wofford
Board of Trustees. Her late husband, James L. Switzer, Sr. '40, was an
alumnus, as are her two sons, James L. Switzer, Jr. '80 and Dr. Paul K.
Switzer, III '77. The next generation is about to begin, as Toccoa's
granddaughter, Lizzie Switzer '07, is enrolling this fall.

"The Switzers made the first gift on the project," Dunlap said.
"Without their generous support, Wofford baseball might have wandered in
the alien corn a lot longer than it did.

"Long before 'Field of Dreams' made the thought a by-word, the Switzers
were convinced that, if we built it, the springtime crowds would return
to Wofford to enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark. Next season will prove
how right they were."