PRIDE PARK THE ENTRANCE TO PAGE STADIUM: PRIDE PARK
Fans visiting Page Stadium will notice one of the most eye-catching improvements in the LMU athletic facilities: Pride Park gives the 25-year-old home to Lion baseball a memorable new entrance. The park, resembling a scaled down baseball infield, recognizes alumni and friends of LMU baseball and provides fans with a gathering point for any athletic event at LMU. Pride Park consists of a brick infield with commemorative benches surrounding the area. LMU baseball’s WCC Championship teams, NCAA tournament appearances, and those players who have had their jersey numbers retired are recognized on the benches. LMU fans sponsored the bricks that form the infield. The park now serves as the entrance to George C. Page Stadium, the home of the Lions for 26 seasons. Head Coach Frank Cruz oversaw the design and development of the park, which also offered fans the opportunity to purchase home plate, first, second, and third base, and the flag pole that stands in center field to honor loved ones. “We hope Pride Park will become a place where everyone associated with LMU, and specifically LMU baseball, can gather and reminisce,” Cruz said. “We would like to see that all of those involved with our program’s rich history, both fans and former players, are represented in our brick infield.” Though the design of Pride Park lends itself toward baseball, the location provides a natural focal gathering point for LMU guests that attend any function inside of Gersten Pavilion and Page Stadium, or games on Smith (softball) and Sullivan (soccer) Fields. Pride Park is an important initial step in achieving the athletic department’s dream of a sports complex. With the construction of Pride Park and the creation of the tennis tournament court and Smith Field, fans of LMU athletics now see a modern athletic center surrounding the southwest area of Gersten Pavilion. Inspired by the death of Cruz’s mother, Narcisa Cruz, Pride Park is one of the latest baseball facility improvement spearheaded by Cruz. During the winter of 2003, Cruz oversaw the renovation of the baseball weight room. Similar to the weight room, which recognizes the accomplishments of LMU baseball alumni, Pride Park honors the great moments in LMU baseball history and inspires current players to reach that level of excellence. “The park displays the honor and tradition of LMU baseball and reflects LMU’s long-time pride in having a family community,” Cruz said.
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2007-08 Media Guide