Saint Martin’s University has received a transformative anonymous gift of $1.5 million to launch the baseball facility renovation project. This unprecedented gift is the largest single donation ever made to Saints Athletics, marking a historic moment for the University and its student-athletes.
The initial phase will include critical improvements to the field and enclosing the existing batting cages. These upgrades will elevate the overall experience for athletes and fans alike, bolster athlete recruitment and retention, and further position Saints Athletics to be the hometown team in the greater Lacey community.
The Saints Baseball program is coming off an impressive season, with seven players earning all-GNAC honors—including one First-Team selection, three Second-Team selections, and three Honorable Mentions. Junior Colin Driscoll made history as the program’s second-ever GNAC Co-Pitcher of the Year, finishing the season with a league-leading 3.17 ERA and .219 opponent batting average.
“This generous gift underscores the unwavering support of our community for the vision and mission of Saint Martin’s,” said Dr. Bill Brownsberger, president of Saint Martin’s University. “By investing in our baseball program, this donor is helping us provide a first-class athletic experience that aligns with our Catholic Benedictine values and creates opportunities for our student-athletes to thrive both on and off the field.”
Theresa Hanson, interim athletic director, emphasized the broader impact of the gift. “This donation is a game-changer for Saints Athletics and reflects the transformative power that philanthropy can have at the University. These upgrades will significantly enhance the competitive environment for our student-athletes while enriching the experience for our Saints fans. We are incredibly grateful for this visionary support.”
Joey Swanson, interim head baseball coach, shared his excitement about what this means for the program. “This is an incredible moment for Saints Baseball. These improvements will not only elevate our training and game-day facilities but also show our current and future players that we are committed to their success. We are deeply thankful for this extraordinary gift.” Swanson, who has been with the program since 2016, takes over as interim head coach for the upcoming season.
While this generous contribution will transform the student-athlete experience, additional funding needs remain to fully realize the vision for Saints Baseball. These include student-athlete scholarships and further facility enhancements. Saint Martin’s University invites those inspired by this project to join in supporting the future of Saints Athletics by making their own contributions.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at advancement@stmartin.edu or (360) 438-4366.
About Saint Martin’s University:
Saint Martin’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and six certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Media Contact:
Nate Peters – Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement (360) 438-4367, npeters@stmartin.edu
Theresa Hanson – Interim Director of Athletics (360) 688-2855, thanson@stmartin.edu