A year after the 125th anniversary of Bridgewater College’s baseball program, Head Baseball Coach Ben Spotts ’97 says it is almost time to begin facility renovations thanks to funds raised for the Baseball 125: Celebrating 125 Years of BC Baseball Campaign.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of fundraising success with the support of our alumni,” Spotts says. “I’ve been thankful, humbled and appreciative of the support we’ve received.”
Spotts expects to break ground this fall and complete the renovations before fans return for the 2025 baseball season. Once complete, these upgrades will reshape the baseball field’s aesthetic to showcase what Spotts views as functionally one of the best facilities in the league.
One reason for making these upgrades is to preserve BC’s status as “best in the league,” given the baseball program’s history of success. Since Bridgewater joined the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in 1975-1976, the baseball program has earned 14 championship titles, including three consecutive titles in 1994, 1995 and 1996. BC is one of only two institutions throughout ODAC’s history to achieve the feat.
Spotts, who played on all three championship teams, considers himself lucky to have competed at BC, and later worked as an assistant coach, under then-head coach Curt Kendall. But Spotts has contributed even more to the Bridgewater community by serving in multiple roles beyond coaching – including as Area Coordinator, Director of Residence Life and NCAA Compliance Officer – since he initially joined the College’s staff in 1998. Now, having returned to BC after leaving to coach baseball at Eastern Mennonite University from 2012-2019, Spotts strives to convey the importance of giving back in his players.
“I always tell our guys, whether it’s your play on the field, your sense of community or how you handle yourself on campus, do something to impact our program and our school in a positive way,” Spotts says.
One alumnus who embodies this spirit of making a positive impact is Andy Moore ’94. A former member of the baseball team, Moore has long contributed toward the team’s future. Most recently, during the 2024 Day of Giving on April 3, he issued a matching challenge to raise funds for the Baseball 125 Campaign. He says his drive to give back stems from the time he spent playing for Kendall.
“[Kendall] gave me an opportunity coming out of high school, and if it wasn’t for that, I might not be where I am today,” Moore says, adding that he thinks highly of the current coach as well. “Spotts is trying to continue the winning tradition at Bridgewater. If having better facilities helps him with recruiting, that just ends up building better teams.”
Moore’s gift to the Baseball 125 Campaign is in honor of long-time BC professor and golf coach Lamar Neal. Neal, who passed away in January 2023, impacted Moore greatly as a student and was even the best man at his wedding. While Moore’s story about Neal is unique, it is one that may resonate with other BC alumni.
“Hopefully our alumni look back on fond memories, great experiences, great relationships,” Spotts says. “Bridgewater impacted them in a positive way, and they can still make a positive impact on Bridgewater.”
Originally published in the Bridgewater College Annual Report of Donors, 2023-2024.
– Eli Quay ’20
