— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall University’s new baseball facility has been named Jack Cook Field in honor of the winningest coach in program history.
Marshall University’s Board of Governors approved the name for the ballpark, which is located on the north edge of the MU campus, under construction and is expected to be ready for play next spring.
The move to name the ballpark came after a significant donation from the family of former Herd player John Rulli, who will be matching gifts for the stadium project up to $500,000.
“What an amazing honor for our baseball program to play their games on Jack Cook Field,” Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears said. “Having the field named after Coach Cook fulfills the promise so many hoped would be achieved. We are extremely grateful for the matching gift from John Rulli and his family. This community can now — one person at a time, one donation at a time – help us achieve the financial goal for the match.”
Cook was Marshall’s team captain in 1949 and was named interim head coach in 1955. He was hired as permanent head coach in 1967 and filled the job through 1989, compiling a record of 422-344-3. Cook’s 1978 Marshall team finished No. 17 in the nation and was a win away from going to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
Current Marshall baseball coach Greg Beals, who recently completed his first season in Huntington, hopes to replicate Cook’s success in the Herd’s new home.
“I cannot think of a better name for our new field and better recognition for our legendary coach,” Beals said. “Coach Cook means so much to so many of our people and now every player that comes to play for The Herd will play on his field and know who he was. I am very grateful to John Rulli for stepping up and making a generous contribution to put his coach’s name on the field and to challenge his fellow teammates to join in on the project.”
The Board of Governors also approved the naming of the new stadium’s clubhouse in honor of former Herd baseball player Alex Lawrence, who attended Marshall from 1955-1959. Lawrence’s widow, Kim Lawrence, made a $1 million gift to honor her late husband.
“The Alex Lawrence Clubhouse will serve as the focal point for this facility,” Beals said. “The culture that will feed Marshall baseball will be bred in this clubhouse. Thank you to Kim Lawrence for honoring Alex Lawrence and providing for the future of Marshall baseball in such a special way.”
Marshall Athletics officials say that other naming commitments associated with the Baseball Stadium Project will also be announced in the near future.
“The Big Green has been able to secure major commitments toward the construction of the Marshall University baseball stadium,” Associate Athletic Director for Development Teddy Kluemper said. “We need everyone’s help to get to the finish line. Personally, I can’t wait until the baseball stadium is built, the bricks are laid and that first pitch is thrown!”
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More preseason college football publications are out and one of them has a major honor for a Marshall senior.
Phil Steele’s College Football magazine this week named cornerback Micah Abraham as a fourth-team Preseason All-American.
Abraham was an honorable mention All-American pick last fall by Steele after tying for third nationally in interceptions with six. He was also a first team All-Sun Belt Conference pick. Abraham finished with 36 tackles and 10 pass breakups during the 2022 season.
Abraham was one of three Herd players picked by the publication as first team preseason all-Sun Belt. The others were junior running back Rasheen Ali and senior defensive end Owen Porter.
Junior offensive lineman Ethan Driskell and senior linebacker Eli Neal were chosen second team preseason all-Sun Belt.
Two MU players were third-team preseason All-Sun Belt picks by Steele — junior offensive lineman Logan Osburn and senior kick returner Talik Keaton, who handled both kick and punt return duties for Marshall last fall.