Donors Equip Warriors for NCAA DII Success
This spring, several of Westmont’s athletic facilities have seen dramatic upgrades to accompany the Warriors’ move to National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II in hopes of attracting exceptional student-athletes who will thrive with a rigorous Christian liberal arts education. The Westmont community and supporters have stepped up to provide vital resources for the challenge.
Westmont baseball dedicated new stadium seating and the Eldred Family Press Box on Feb. 10 at Russell Carr Field, the same day the team celebrated last year’s NAIA World Series Championship with players receiving championship rings.
More than 200 people filled grandstands that alumni Wayne and Sharol Siemens made possible, and another 175 attendees added to the enthusiastic crowd. Wayne, a legendary Westmont first baseman, still holds hitting records.
Jason and Holly Eldred, Dr. Dave Eldred ’63 and Bette Eldred, and Roger '78 and Tracie Erickson donated the funding for a two-story press box. The much-needed facility provides an excellent view and permanent location for broadcasting games, including audio and video internet streaming equipment that previously had to be set up and taken down each game.
Steady rainfall could not dampen the spirits at the dedication of the Tom and Meg Names Aquatics Center on March 1. Erin Names Shagren and Monica Names-King honored their parents, Tom and Meg, who passed away in 2016, by supporting Westmont’s women’s swim team. During the dedication, each member of the Westmont swim team walked across the deck to hand each sister a white rose.
A grant from the Tom and Meg Names Family Foundation in 2018 allowed Westmont to launch the swim team, hire a head coach and improve the facilities. “We both agreed that funding the swimming program was a great opportunity and something my parents would be excited about,” Erin says.
She and her husband, Mark, are the parents of alumna Megan Shagren ’18. Their investment is yielding a great return: The six-women team finished eighth in the nation this year and were all named Academic All-Americans.