MAGNOLIA, Ark. – With the cancelation of spring sports, Mulerider baseball missed the opportunity to spend the season training in the new addition of the Johnson-Dawson Player Development Facility located inside Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field.  Phase one of the facility enhancements came as a result of a campaign that raised over $380,000 and resulted in the overhaul of the current 7,500 square foot facility. 
 
"It has been unbelievable to see what was once a vision become a reality because of the generous contributions of so many," remarked Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "Those contributions allowed us to not only build a first class facility, but one that offers endless opportunities for our baseball student-athletes to enhance their baseball-related skills."

Browning added, "The Johnson-Dawson Player Development Facility is a wonderful addition to an already remarkable complex and is one that will allow Mulerider Baseball to continue their tradition of success for years to come."
The facility features multiple sections of netting for hitting as well as ample space for multiple portable pitching mounds. Additionally, the netting can be brought back to either end of the facility allowing for ground balls, throwing drills and other performance-specific exercises to be executed specifically in the early part of each season when weather isn't optimal for on-field workouts.
 
"The Johnson-Dawson Player Development Facility has been a huge addition to our top notch facility on campus at SAU. The generosity from everyone involved has given our players the chance to maximize their development no matter what the weather has in store for us on a particular day," noted head baseball coach Justin Pettigrew. He added, "With as much rain as we have during the springs in southwest Arkansas, the facility will play a vital role in our future success. Just in the three months that we have been able to utilize the facility, we have seen our players have the ability to train at a higher level than ever before at SAU."
 
Many Mulerider Alumni and Friends were influential in making this project become a reality. It is only possible today because of the immense generosity of so many proud and loyal Mulerider Baseball supporters. The naming of the facility comes as a result from the contributions of the Johnson Family including Patrick and Kim Johnson and Patrick, Jr. and Haley Johnson, Geo-Surfaces and the Family of Charlie and Kelli Dawson, Bodcaw Bank, and the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
 
With the completion of the project's first phase, attention now turns to the planning and execution of phase two which includes upgrading the current natural grass playing surface at Goodheart Field with the installation of infield turf. Currently, a matching gift of $100,000 has been pledged to the project.
 
Projects like the Player Development Facility have been a part of the Love and Loyalty Campaign, which is Southern Arkansas University's boldest fundraising initiative in its 110-year history. The Love and Loyalty Campaign aims to strengthen SAU's commitment to affordability and innovation. Through the Love and Loyalty Campaign, the University seeks to raise $22 million over five years to benefit student enrichment, faculty and staff support, academic programs, student life and community engagement, revitalized facilities and athletics.
 
To learn more about the campaign or be involved please visit the link below: https://www.sauloveandloyalty.com/.