Redesign of the Ball State Baseball Stadium may prove to be just another idea to land on the desk of Associate Athletic Director Pat Quinn, but it does offer hands-on experience for an independent study.
Seniors Audrey Neiswender and Ryan Hanigan approached professor emeritus Tony Costello this fall to help guide their study.
Both participated in a design studio during the summer of 2008, in which the concept for new baseball stadium was conceived. It was structured around a student design competition hosted by the National Concrete Masonry Association. Ball State received grants in 2007 and 2008 from the association, which covered research activities and the salary of the faculty.
"Rarely do architecture students get the opportunity to 'revisit' a project after a studio is concluded, so this allowed both to become involved in areas of architecture that they have an interest in," Costello, who retired from teaching at Ball State in 2005, said.
Neiswender is focusing on the design perspective, and Hanigan is working on marketing aspects of the project.
Quinn said while he supports their efforts, this is just one of many ideas and suggestions that have been presented to him concerning Ball State athletics.
"The students have put a concept together should we decide to proceed to attracting potential donors," Quinn said. "We're always looking to keep on track with our brother and sister schools in the MAC."
Costello said the students are working with Quinn as part of an immersive learning experience as if he were a client.
"We're attempting to be a catalyst, to appeal to the alumni and other donors for funding," Neiswender said. "This could be in the queue for the future."
Last summer she and Hanigan visited the stadiums of other schools in the MAC and found their facilities more impressive to the eye.
Remembering the lack of support for the Ball State football program 10 years ago, Costello said the team has a hard time recruiting because the facilities were not up to par.
"The physical facilities say a lot for the spirit and the pride of the program," Neiswender said, "and the baseball stadium is the first thing that people see when they come to our campus."
Costello and the students feel that the only way to bring a new energy to the baseball program is to build a better stadium.
Playing off the movie "Field of Dreams," Costello said, "If you build it, they will come."
Neiswender said a baseball stadium is the easiest type to build incrementally, with various pieces added over time.
After this semester, Neiswender and Hanigan hope that undergraduates will continue the program.
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