MSU Billings Close to Decision on Adding Baseball (Mar. 3, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State University-Billings Athletics Director Dr. Gary Gray said Wednesday that the University’s administration is close to making a decision on whether to add baseball as the university’s thirteenth intercollegiate sport.  Dr. Ron Sexton, Chancellor, has received the information gathered in the recent feasibility study and is expected to reach a decision near the middle of this month.  MSU Billings currently sponsors twelve varsity intercollegiate sports.  The NCAA Division II minimum is ten varsity sports.

“Dr. Sexton is encouraged by the data he has received,” said Gray.  “He has asked for some additional information before he makes his decision.  We have until March 15 to conclude the final portion of our research and present it to him”

Gray said that he and Krista Montague, Director of Development and Marketing, have been asked for three additional pieces of information. 

1)      Identify individuals in and around Billings who would be willing to serve on a steering committee to help guide the proposed introduction of NCAA Division II baseball.

2)      Identify individuals in and around Billings who would be willing to pledge financial support to assist with the costs of adding baseball.

3)      Identify businesses and corporations who would be willing to support baseball financially by becoming part of our department’s Corporate Partnership Program and, in the process, advertise their products and services through this successful program.

“We feel very comfortable with several aspects of the feasibility study,” said Gray.  “Gary Roller of the Billings Mustangs and Jeff Ballard of the American Legion program have been fantastic in terms of their willingness to work with us regarding facilities.  Between Pirtz Field and Cobb Field, we feel that facilities will be accessible.  Billings has shown itself to be a fantastic baseball community, and we think that we can contribute to that further.  Also, we have a strong history of adding athletic opportunities for student-athletes.  In the past ten years, we have added men’s and women’s soccer, softball and men’s and women’s golf.  Those moves have brought approximately seventy additional student-athletes to MSU Billings.  Our objective with adding these sports has been to continue to add opportunities for student-athletes.”

Gray said that the public is encouraged to share any thoughts between now and March 15.  Gray can be reached at 657-2282, and Montague can be reached at 657-2061.