ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The years of hard work by so many to make a University of New Mexico baseball clubhouse a reality culminated Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony fitting for the new state-of-the-art R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse.
UNM coach Ray Birmingham shakes R.D. Hubbard’s hand as they enter the new R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse.
UNM Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs, UNM Board of Regents President Rob Doughty, UNM baseball coach Ray Birmingham and R.D. Hubbard spoke in front of a crowd of more than 200 people that filled the east parking lot of the $2.3-million, 6,000-square foot facility.
“How about us? How about New Mexico!?” Birmingham led off his speech to the cheers of those in attendance. “Today is a historical day for not only the Lobo baseball team, but also the University of New Mexico and our great state. … Thank you R.D. and Joan Dale for caring about us and caring about the young people of New Mexico as I have seen you do for parts of the last four decades.”
R.D. Hubbard, who donated the lead gift of $500,000 to the project, had a fun-loving message for Birmingham.
“I just want to say to coach, if he can win the tournaments and the championships he’s won working out of that little old building with no showers and no dressing rooms, if he can’t win a national championship out of this building – I’m going to be very disappointed!” Hubbard said with a grin. “Here’s to Omaha!”
The public tours the locker room of the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse.
The Hubbard’s donation was one of many to help make the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse, which is located down the right field line at Santa Ana Star Field, the first privately funded building on UNM’s campus.
Krebs led off the ceremony by praising all the people who contributed to the project.
“You don’t build great buildings like this and you don’t make things happen without great support,” Krebs said. “A number of people in the audience have been tremendously supportive, but it really starts with a leadership gift. Three or four years ago now R.D. and Joan Dale stepped forward and made the naming gift and were really the first ones to get behind this initiative and get things going. … A number of other people have been tremendous like the Dee Dennis family, who made a significant contribution. It’s a special day for Lobo baseball.”
Doughty pointed toward the strong attributes the new clubhouse will bring to Lobo baseball while also thanking the countless people who contributed to the facility being built.
“This dedicated, state-of-the-art facility affords our student-athletes and coaching staff an opportunity to tell our program’s history, to enhance the team experience and to be a critical part of the recruiting process of Lobo baseball,” Doughty said. “This wouldn’t be possible without the generous gifts from our sponsors R.D. and his wife Joan Dale. … With my personal dealings with R.D., I can tell you he is a great person and a great New Mexican. He and Joan Dale truly care for this great state. On behalf of the University of New Mexico, we truly thank you.”
UNM Board of Regents President Rob Doughty speaks during the opening ceremony.
Following the ceremony, supporters and fans toured the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse – which features locker rooms, coaching offices, restrooms, showers, a training room, storage and a player’s lounge. The building also provides a second-floor deck that overlooks the field. Previously, the UNM baseball team used a locker room in WisePies Arena – The Pit, but had to vacate it during certain events at the arena.
“The idea of a locker room began with another great New Mexican – Mr. Scott Grady,” Birmingham said. “Scott is a proud New Mexican and a former Lobo football player. His sons Jeff and Tim played Lobo baseball and it was Scott who was the driving force behind this building. … But I must thank so many and I have to say it was inspiring to watch so man New Mexicans and Lobos chip in on this project. Names like Dennis, Cordova, Hines, Eaves, Smith, Franklin and Santa Ana Star Casino along with more.”
UNM is also working to honor the Dennis family’s gift after the first of the year by naming the locker room – which is shaped like home plate and features four large televisions hanging from the ceiling – after them. Dee Dennis III was a player for the Lobo baseball program, and his family – including his father Dee Dennis, Jr. – donated $300,000 to the clubhouse project. The Dennis family also assisted with the installation of the lights to Santa Ana Star Field in 2013.
The Lobos are coming off the 2016 Mountain West Tournament title and their fifth NCAA postseason appearance since 2010. UNM has two players named 2017 preseason All-Americans by College Baseball Newspaper in third baseman and 2016 Mountain West Player of the Year Carl Stajduhar (First Team) and center fielder and left-handed pitcher Luis Gonzalez (Third Team).
The program is having success both on and off the field as Lobo baseball posted a program-record 3.26 GPA during the 2016 spring term – their eighth-consecutive semester of a 3.0 or better team GPA.
The Lobos open their season Feb. 17 at home against Binghamton in a three-game series that goes through Feb. 19.
Follow the UNM baseball team on Twitter (@UNMLoboBaseball), Instagram (@unmlobobaseball) and Facebook (/UNMLobosBaseball) for updates and information on your Lobos!