The Stadium Coach Anson Built

Washburn University celebrated the completion of substantial baseball complex renovations with a dedication ceremony honoring the life and legacy of longtime coach Steve Anson.

“Washburn was fortunate to have Steve lead our baseball program for 35 incredible years,” said JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn University. “The compassion and devotion he demonstrated toward student athletes extended beyond competition and into life well beyond their playing careers. It is a tremendous point of pride to be able to officially call the baseball stadium Steve Anson Stadium in honor of the tremendous impact he made.”

Anson was a beloved coach to generations of student-athletes over his storied career at Washburn. He coached 1,645 games at Washburn, earning his 800^th win just two short years before his untimely death in 2014. His loyalty to the program and the respect he earned throughout the community made him highly respected as a coach, but the friendships he developed with his players and colleagues resonate just as deeply.

“Steve touched countless lives in his career and was so well-known and loved throughout the baseball community,” said Loren Ferre’, athletic director, Washburn University. “He always wanted to do what was best for Washburn and for the baseball program. He was just a special person.”

This newly monikered Steve Anson Stadium features more than $1.5 million in transformative renovations, including padded outfield fencing, a new Daktronics scoreboard, LED field lights and an upgraded full-turf field to enable post-season play. These improvements will not only enhance the student-athlete experience; they will help commemorate Anson’s undeniable impact on Washburn athletics.

The fundraising effort was bolstered by a matching gift from Greg, bba ’88, and Jaena, ba ’89, Greenwood. Greg was a member of the Washburn baseball team under Anson’s leadership from 1984-1988 and serves as a trustee for the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation.

“We are so thankful to our donors for making such meaningful improvements happen for Washburn baseball,” said Marshall Meek, mba ’17, president, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation. “Their support has allowed us to honor the life and legacy of a true Ichabod legend while making a direct impact on student-athletes today and for years to come.”