Harrison-Bruce Foundation Donates over 2.3 Million to Build the Harrison-Bruce Player Development Center

Published on November 14, 2023

John A. Logan College and the Harrison-Bruce Foundation held a check presentation ceremony on Thursday, November 2, for the new Harrison-Bruce Player Development Center at John A. Logan College. The Harrison-Bruce Foundation has committed $2,375,000 to construct the Harrison-Bruce Base Ball and Softball Player Development Facility. The 12,000 SQ FT and facility will house baseball and softball locker rooms and indoor training space.  The training space will be fully turfed and 120’ X 80’. The facility will also feature a 120’ X 65’ hitting lab, including full perimeter netting with a net ceiling height of 25 feet. 

According to John A. Logan College Head Baseball Coach Kyle Suprenant, the hitting facility will be state-of-the-art.

“The hitting facility will have six automated drop-down nets that will allow us to create six different cages that are 18’ wide and 65’ long,” said Suprenant. “The pitching lab will be 120’ x 15’ and include four baseball and four softball pitching mounds.”

John A. Logan College Head Softball Coach Taylor Siefert stated that the facility will give both teams year-round training opportunities. “Our baseball and softball players will have full access to this facility throughout the day to get in extra hitting and defensive work.  It will be used daily during the colder months for team practice,” said Siefert. “The size of the facility allows both baseball and softball teams to utilize the space at the same time, and most importantly, we will have the ability for pitchers and hitters to face off against each other in live situations, which is an integral part in preparing the players for the spring season.”

In addition, the baseball and softball teams will also use the facility to host numerous pitching, hitting, and kids camps throughout the year. 

Athletic Director Greg Starrick says the facility will benefit baseball and softball players throughout southern Illinois.

“We are extremely grateful to the Harrison-Bruce Foundation for this generous gift. This is another example of how their generosity will benefit not just John A. Logan College but also all of southern Illinois. Student-athletes in the community will also have the opportunity to use the facility to take lessons from the Logan Baseball and Softball program coaches,” said Starrick. “The facility will also provide a space for travel ball organizations in the community to practice during the winter months as they prepare for their seasons.”  

Construction is expected to begin in May 2024.