Expansion would make Patterson stadium biggest in BIG EAST

By Baylee Pulliam–

A new expansion to the Jim Patterson baseball stadium would make it the largest in the BIG EAST conference.

The expansion would double the number of backed chairs to 3,000, for a total stadium capacity of 4,000.

“The completion of this expansion project at Jim Patterson Stadium will solidify our baseball program as one of the nation’s elite,” said head coach Dan McDonnell in a release.

In addition to the increased capacity, the expansion would add 6,400 square-foot terrace above the backed seating, add a locker room for visiting teams behind the third base dugout, double the size of size of the media and hospitality areas and add an 8-foot-tall

Cardinal bird statue on the main concourse.

According to the release, construction is slated to begin on June 15 of this year and run through February 2013.

Most of the funds for the expansion come from Jim Patterson and his wife and some other contributors. The Cardinal Athletic Fund is trying to raise funds to make up the difference.

Hundreds of donors would have the opportunity to sign a baseball at the ribbon cutting ceremony, and have it integrated into the Cardinal Bird sculpture on the concourse.

Donors who give $300 will earn a baseball in the red section of the statue, and donors who give $1,000 will have their ball placed in the gold section. The donation form can be found here.

 

Photo and rendering courtesy The Cardinal Athletic Fund.