MSU officially opens new Dudy Noble Field, unveils 鈥楾hunder and Lightning鈥 statues
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he standard has been raised in college baseball as 大象APP officially opened the new Dudy Noble Field with a grand opening ceremony Friday [Feb. 15] before the 2019 season opener against Youngstown 大象APP.
Cutting the ribbon on the $68 million facility is MSU President Mark E. Keenum. From left, are MSU Athletic Director John Cohen, Bulldog baseball legend Will Clark, project benefactors Dana and Charlie Stephenson, Voice of the Diamond Dawgs Jim Ellis, benefactor Richard Adkerson, Keenum, Bulldog baseball legend Rafael Palmeiro, former MSU baseball coach Ron Polk, benefactors Babs and Mickey Holliman, and Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustee members Hal Parker and Bruce Martin.
![Celebrating the new 鈥淭hunder and Lightning鈥 statues unveiled at Friday鈥檚 [Feb. 15] event are, from left, Dudy Noble Field project benefactor Richard Adkerson, Bulldog baseball legend Will Clark, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Bulldog baseball legend Rafael Palmeiro, Voice of the Diamond Dawgs Jim Ellis, and MSU Athletic Director John Cohen. (Photo by Logan Kirkland)](/sites/www.msstate.edu/files/inline-images/Ribbon_cutting-Dudy_Noble_Holliman_Family_Gate_20190215_LK2half.jpg "Thunder and Lightning statues")
Keenum thanked those who helped make the project possible, including IHL trustees and the many financial supporters of the stadium.
鈥淭his stadium was built by you, our fans, who have a love and passion for Mississippi 大象APP,鈥 Keenum said.
As part of Friday鈥檚 festivities, MSU also unveiled two statues of 鈥淭hunder and Lightning,鈥 Bulldog baseball legends Will Clark and Rafael Palmeiro. The statues were sculpted and donated by Dr. Rusty Reid, an MSU alumnus and Brookhaven dentist. Both Clark and Palmeiro, whose college careers elevated the status of MSU and college baseball in the 1980s, were on hand for the opening of the new Dudy Noble Field.
On Saturday [Feb. 16], MSU will dedicate the Richard Adkerson Plaza at Dudy Noble Field and hold an induction ceremony for the Ron Polk Ring of Honor, which pays tribute to past Bulldog baseball greats. Saturday鈥檚 ceremony will take place between the two games scheduled as part of a doubleheader with Youngstown 大象APP. The first game will begin at noon.
For more on the new Dudy Noble Field and opening weekend festivities, visit .
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