By the year 2021, the Illinois Field complex will look a lot different and we will have Susie Atkins to thank for that. With a $3 million donation earmarked for a new training facility, Illinois Baseball will have improved their overall program dramatically.
According to FightingIllini.com, Susie Atkins is happy to help with the upgrade.
I am very pleased and honored to make this donation to the University of Illinois for the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center,” Susie Atkins said. “Thirty years ago my husband, Clint, and I made a donation to the University’s Atkins Tennis Center and through the years, Illinois has never forgotten that gift and has been extremely generous with their gratitude. Now, I am proud to be in a position to assist in the training of the Illini Baseball team. The program is under great leadership with Coach Hartleb and the athletes are talented, competitive, bright, young men. The training center is going to provide year-round development space regardless of time or weather.
Named the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center, this new 26,000 square feet facility will be connected to the current clubhouse and will include:
- a full infield with ceiling-mounted nets for hitting and pitching practice
- a recruiting lounge
- a new entrance to the Illinois Field complex
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb is obviously grateful for the generous contribution by Atkins.
The generous contribution by Susie as the lead gift to push forward the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center, will position Illinois baseball with one of the premier indoor baseball training facilities in college baseball.
The name Atkins is a familiar one in the Illini athletics realm. In 1991, Clint and Susie Atkins funded the development of the Atkins Tennis Center that included indoor and outdoor tennis courts as well as support facilities. It should not be a surprise that since then, Illini Tennis has been one of the most successful sports at Illinois. Illini Tennis have consistently been nationally recognized thanks in part to the Atkins Center.
The News-Gazette has additional coverage on the Atkins Baseball Training Center plans.
From my perspective, this will be very convenient for the players who now have to “borrow” the football indoor practice facility in the colder months. This shows that Illinois is serious about their baseball program. I am looking forward to the ground-breaking for the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center. I bet the future Illini will look forward to using this as well!