The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced a significant gift of $350,000 for the building of the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center from Gies College of Business and LAS graduate Philip Sarnecki and his wife, Heidi. Groundbreaking for the facility is slated for this spring.

In a statement, Philip Sarnekci credited the work done by coach Dan Hartleb.

The Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center will be approximately 26,000 square feet and will include a large training space and adjoining support spaces. The training space encompasses an entire baseball infield with ceiling-mounted nets for hitting and pitching practice. The $8 million facility will be immediately adjacent to the current clubhouse and locker rooms and should be completed in the Spring of 2022.

The $350,000 gift from the Sarneckis counts toward the $300 million fundraising goal for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, which is part of "With Illinois," the $2.25 billion University-wide fundraising campaign.