Donation targeted for baseball and softball facility enhancements
TAMPA, DEC. 13, 2021 – USF Athletics has received a $1.5 million donation from James and Christy Lockhart targeted at facility enhancements for the Bulls’ highly successful baseball and softball programs.
“I want to express the gratitude of USF Athletics and the tremendous excitement this transformational donation has generated in our baseball and softball programs,” Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly said. “Thanks to the tremendous generosity of James and Christy Lockhart and their lead gift, we are moving forward with facility additions and enhancements that will keep our programs among the top destinations in the country for outstanding student-athletes.”
The Lockhart gift is a key component in facility enhancements for the baseball and softball programs that will be undertaken in two phases.
The first phase, set to begin following the conclusion of the 2022 seasons, will involve enhancements of the current baseball and softball player development complexes. It will include the modernization and enclosure of the current hitting cages, including the addition of new technology and replacement of the turf in those areas.
“Thank goodness for the relationship we have established with the Lockhart family and their tremendous support,” softball head coach Ken Eriksen said. “The success of both bat and ball sports over the last 25 years has been tremendous. The generosity of the Lockhart’s will really get the ball rolling as we enhance our player development and continue to elevate our championship-caliber programs.”
Phase two of the project will include the construction of a clubhouse that will sit between the two fields and include locker rooms, coaches’ offices, film rooms and team spaces for both the baseball and softball teams.
“This is a huge, huge opportunity for both programs,” baseball head coach Billy Mohl said. “It’s all about putting our student-athletes first and making sure they have the best opportunity to develop and excel. I can’t thank James and Christy enough for their support and I think this will be one of the best facilities in the state of Florida when we are done.”
The USF baseball program won the American Athletic Conference tournament last year and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional under head coach Billy Mohl. Bulls baseball has won 10 conference championships and made 14 NCAA tournament appearances.
The USF softball program has won eight conference championships, all under head coach Ken Eriksen who also served as the head coach of the 2020 U.S. Olympic team that earned a silver medal. The Bulls have made 17 NCAA appearances, including 16 under Eriksen that include four Sweet 16 appearances and the 2012 College World Series.
About USF Athletics
USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men’s and women’s teams that compete in 11 different sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls’ athletic program began in 1965 and completed its 55th season in 2020-21. Nearly 450 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 26 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, including six trophies in 2020-21, and own 130 conference titles in department history. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the sixth straight year in 2020-21 and have posted a program-record 13 straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has had nearly 450 student-athletes earn their degree since 2016-17.
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