The RoundHouse | 4/29/2019 4:37:00 PM

 
Brent Kemnitz is almost a month into his life on Twitter. He started at Madison Square Garden, posted a picture with Mark Cuban of "Shark Tank" and released a video starring his dog at Starbucks.
 
His social-media favorite remains fund-raising for and construction at Eck Stadium's 10,000-square foot performance facility. Dirt is moving and Kemnitz is working on the final chunk of money needed to equip the building for baseball and softball.
 
He updates his 445 followers (@BrentKemnitz) on progress each week with a video. His regular visits reflect the fact that Kemnitz spent much of his three years as assistant athletic director fund-raising for Eck Stadium's Phase V. He spent the previous 38 as Wichita State baseball pitching coach, so Phase V is a project with special meaning. 
 
"I'm here every day," he said. "I'm sure they're wondering 'Who's that old guy taking video every day.' I shoot it out to donors and try to motivate them and get them excited. We still have work to do."
 
Wichita State held a ground-breaking for Phase V, which will include strength and conditioning space, locker room, media room, offices and a third-base dugout, in late March. The $3-million project is scheduled to open in January. Kemnitz estimates Wichita State needs around $300,000 to purchase weights, video equipment and other accessories to outfit the building that will connect to the Bombardier Learjet Indoor Practice Facility.
 
"We want to make sure we have cutting-edge equipment," he said. "This has been my main focus. It's close to home. I know the importance of it. This has been the final phase of what I think is still one of the top five baseball stadiums in the country."

 

Eck Stadium-Monday Update. Oklahoma Sooners Tuesday at 6pm. #watchus pic.twitter.com/YEj7qkJIX9

— Brent Kemnitz (@BrentKemnitz) April 23, 2019

The Bombardier Learjet Indoor Practice Facility opened in 2009. Plans to move Wichita State's dugout and offices and connect to the indoor facility stalled. The March ground-breaking provided a critical signal that progress resumed, Kemnitz said.
 
He moved to the administration in June 2016 and developed a job description that includes speaking and mentoring in the department, raising money, traveling with men's basketball and working with fans and donors. When he started meeting people and working with fans in his new role, he said he realized the passion for Shocker baseball that existed made Phase V an important project. 
 
"It's a very satisfying feeling to see the building going up," he said. "Phase V has been in the work for about 10 years. This has been on the table for a lot of years and we need to get this done. When I moved to Koch Arena in June of 2016, (athletic director) Darron Boatright said 'Let's find something that fits who you are.'"
 
 

It's important that we teach our kids proper etiquette. Barking at the Starbucks help is not acceptable. pic.twitter.com/nxJahav8Rh

— Brent Kemnitz (@BrentKemnitz) April 16, 2019

The project is completely funded through donor contributions and the construction contract is through the WSU Foundation.

Naming opportunities are still available. A complete overview of the project can be seen at goshockers.com, or a brochure can be requested by contacting the Wichita State Athletics Development Office at (316) 978-7276.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.