WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State is proud to announce a significant donation by former Shocker pitcher Nate Robertson to the Eck Stadium project. 

The gift will go toward the final phase of a five-part development plan for Eck Stadium. The highlight of the $2 million project will be a 10,000-square-foot Performance Facility utilized by student-athletes in baseball, softball, golf and tennis.

"It's something I'm committed to and very passionate about," Robertson said. "I want to be an example of giving back. The WSU baseball program was a platform for me to thrive and really catapult my career into a 16-year professional career, nine of those in the big leagues. The recruiting process is vital to any program. In order to have a successful team, you have to have great players. You have to keep up with the times. Recruiting is very competitive and you have to make sure your facilities are top notch."

Robertson pitched for the Shockers from 1997-99 and went 13-0 with a 3.71 ERA in 36 career appearances. He made 22 starts and pitched 148 innings with 61 walks and 136 strikeouts.
 
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins and he made his Major League debut on Sept. 7, 2002 for the Marlins.
 
Nate pitched in the Major Leagues from 2002-2010 and played for the Marlins, Tigers, and Phillies. He made 223 appearances with 187 starts and earned 57 wins with one save and four complete games.

"We are thrilled that Nate has made a gift to the Eck Stadium project," said Darron Boatright, WSU Athletic Director. "As a Wichita State baseball student-athlete, Nate helped build the strong tradition of the program and we are thankful that he is committed to Shocker baseball."

The new Performance Facility at the Eck Stadium complex will house a strength and conditioning center, locker room for baseball players, player lounge, offices for coach and staff, and a media room for viewing game videos. It will provide access to and from the Bombardier Learjet Practice Facility, as well as to the Shocker dugout on the Eck Stadium playing field. As part of the project, the Shocker dugout will be moved from the first-base side of the field to the third-base side. The baseball program's ticket office will also be enlarged and remodeled.
 
For more information on donating to the Eck Stadium project, contact the WSU Development Office at 316.978.5499.