A planned press box facility funded by John O. and Louise G.
Chapman will become the centerpiece for the baseball and softball
venues at Islander Field on the Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi campus.
University officials announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 3) the
commitment by the Chapmans to fund construction of the new facility
that will serve both the public and media. The Chapmans are
longtime generous benefactors to A&M-Corpus Christi.
The structure is anticipated to include three stories -- public
restrooms and a concession stand on the first floor; a press box on
the second floor; and an upper-level suite. Bleacher additions and
related site work are also expected. The project is estimated to
cost $856,800.
"The Chapmans are among A&M-Corpus Christi's
dearest friends," said University President Flavius Killebrew. "It
is essential that our student-athletes have quality facilities in
which to compete. This support by John and Louise Chapman will
increase the visibility of the baseball and softball programs among
our fans, friends and sports media."
The construction of the facility is in line with improvements
that accommodate the new level of competition within the Southland
Conference. The Islanders joined the conference in July.
The anticipated timing for groundbreaking, construction and
completion has yet to be confirmed. It is expected that the
facility may be completed for the 2007 season.
President Killebrew said that he will make a recommendation to
the chancellor and the Board of Regents of the Texas A&M
University System that the area be renamed Chapman Field.
The Chapmans also continue to be instrumental in the development
of academic programs and student support at A&M-Corpus Christi.
Established in 1993, the John Chapman Endowed Scholarship has
supported the financial needs of more than 50 students. The
Chapmans were leading contributors in the construction of the Math
& Science Resource Center dedicated in February. Mr. Chapman
was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at the
University's fall 2002 commencement.
Mr. Chapman has stated that supporting A&M-Corpus Christi is
"the best investment a person can make to improve the quality of
life in this region." He added that there is a direct positive
relationship between the quality of life and quality of educational
facilities.
Mr. Chapman chaired Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's
Wave of the Future fund raising effort, the first comprehensive
campaign in the university's history that brought $22 million in
gifts and pledges by February 2000 for scholarship
He served as president of the Texas A&M University-Corpus
Christi Foundation and the former Corpus Christi State University
Foundation.
Chapman, a Texas native, owns Chapman Ranch, the renowned cotton
production operation created from land his father purchased from
the King Ranch in 1919.
