Doane College debuted its new softball and baseball complex with a grand opening ceremony Tuesday, March 27. Dedication of The Jose M. & Elizabeth Ledon Softball and Baseball Complex was followed by the softball conference home opener against Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Speakers from Doane thanked the Ledons for their generosity, giving current and future Doane teams a chance to play on campus for the first time in more than 50 years.
A year ago, Doane President Jonathan Brand said, he had a conversation with the Ledons, and they "dreamed a bit about what softball and baseball could be at Doane."
The family's passion and commitment - for softball, their daughter and Doane - made that dream a reality, he said.
The estimated $870,000 project on the eastern edge of campus includes two fields, stadium seating, batting cages, a two-story press box and concessions. The project also includes new track and field throwing competition areas.
The project is funded by a generous donation from Jose and Elizabeth Ledon of Las Vegas, the parents of a current Doane student and softball player.
Jose Ledon threw out the first pitch.
"I'm very proud to do something like this for a college in the United States of America. I came here and was given so much. This is to give back." said Jose, a Cuban immigrant.
The grand opening marks the first time the two sports have had a home on the Doane campus in many decades. Previously softball and baseball competed at Crete's Tuxedo Park.
"We are so fortunate to have this new complex for our students, spectators, and visiting teams," said Doane President Jonathan Brand. "It has been particularly impressive to see how much we have accomplished in the last 8-12 months to get to this point. We are all indebted to the Ledons, not just for their financial support, but for their commitment to Doane. This is a dream come true."
To bring a sense of the sports' history to the day, Doane recognized past softball, baseball and track athletes (throwing events) who received Doane's Honor D and Athletic Hall of Fame awards. Many of Doane's former softball and baseball athletes were on hand for the grand opening.