Duke Athletics, in collaboration with LeChase Construction and EwingCole Architecture, has announced a phased enhancement plan for Jack Coombs Field, home of the Blue Devils baseball team.
The plan aims to celebrate the school’s historic baseball program with facility upgrades that better support its competitive future and player development, while dramatically enhancing the spectator experience. It has been separated into phases to strategically meet program and budgetary priorities – field improvements, player performance facilities, and game day/fan experience enhancements.
The first phase began on Aug. 12, 2024, and will include new dugouts, an updated playing field with new dimensions, new bullpen, outdoor hitting facility, and group hospitality areas behind the outfield fence, upgraded tiered lawn seating on the first base line, a new player development lab/indoor training facility, and upgraded facility lighting and player development technology. Ongoing fundraising for the project will prioritize a player clubhouse and coaches’ office building, an improved entry plaza and gate, additional restrooms, concession/hospitality areas, and broadcast/media space.
The Iron Dukes Office has initiated a significant fundraising effort with early pledges and generous gifts to provide the necessary leadership to get this project off the ground. Iron Dukes major gift contributions, like those that support the Jack Coombs Field renovation project, further enhance the resources essential for delivering a world-class experience to all Blue Devils, while donations to the Iron Dukes Annual Fund and Varsity Club support scholarships for more than 450 student-athletes annual and sports specific budgetary needs respectively.
“As the energy surrounding our baseball program continues its upward trajectory, it is incredibly exciting to see this venture reach the construction stage,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Nina King said. “Having the opportunity to enhance both our student-athlete experience from a developmental perspective as well as the gameday environment for our fans with this multi-phase initiative is especially rewarding. I could not be more appreciative of the many dedicated, generous, and passionate constituents – both internal and external – for making this transformational project a reality.”
Duke’s baseball program has been one of the school’s most consistent and successful programs over the past decade, appearing in six NCAA Tournaments and three NCAA Super Regionals, while winning two ACC Tournament Championships.
“I have said many times over the last few years that we have a door to knock down,” head coach Chris Pollard said. “The announced renovations to Coombs Field certainly get us closer to making our Omaha goals a reality. I am grateful for all the great players who have laid a foundation of success that makes it easy for supporters to want to invest in the program. I am grateful for the generous support of our lead donors; without their vision and faith in the program, we would not be in this position. I am also very grateful for the leadership of Dr. Vincent E. Price, Nina King, Brad Berndt, and Bob Weiseman who have all pushed to get us to this day. I am thrilled for our alumni, donors, players, and recruits to get a front-row seat to all the wonderful changes coming to Coombs Field over the upcoming months.”