UPLAND, Ind. — Taylor University’s baseball program has received a $300,000 gift from a young alumnus that will provide artificial turf and new dugouts for the baseball field.

Taylor will be the first NAIA school in the state of Indiana to use an artificial turf baseball field, a product that is becoming increasingly popular due to the reduced impact of rain on the surface.

Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin June 1.

“Words cannot express how grateful and excited that I am for this incredibly generous gift,” said Taylor Head Coach Kyle Gould, who has won 256 games in his eight seasons at Taylor. “The donor wants our baseball program to continue competing on a national level, but also to produce men who use their experiences playing baseball at Taylor to be leaders in their vocation and to use their success as a platform to help change the world.”

According to Gould, the donor cited former Taylor coach Larry Winterholter, who coached the Trojans from 1980-2001, as having a profound impact on his life during his years at Taylor.

This marks the second major commitment to athletic facilities at Taylor in the past six months. Work is currently underway on a $3.2 million Sports Complex which will include a new football/soccer stadium with artificial turf and lights, a full-sized lit turf practice field, and a new scoreboard.

“I am so excited that another facet of this athletic fields and facilities plan is emerging,” Taylor Athletic Director Dr. Angie Fincannon said. “Baseball certainly has done its part to strengthen their program and to gain momentum for Taylor University. I continue to give God the Glory for the gifts we’ve received.”

According to university officials, the timing of the gift provides considerable cost savings for the baseball stadium improvement project since the same on-site suppliers and contractors constructing the Sports Complex will be hired to complete the project.

The gift also is the newest evidence of the baseball program’s increasing momentum. The Trojans recently clinched their third straight MCC regular season championship and have a combined record of 148-68 over the last four seasons.

Taylor will be making its third appearance in four years at the NAIA National Championship Opening Round starting this Thursday in Marion, Ind.