Friday, April 07, 2000
Gift provides field for NKU softball
Women's team get own place
BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Members of the Northern Kentucky University women's softball team got their field of dreams Thursday.
Thanks to a generous donation from Tristate sports advocate Roger Grein, the team now has a home field.
Coach Kathy Bown said the facility will lead to “nothing but good things.”
“This will bring a lot of pride to the team,” Ms. Bown said. “We have a place that's our own.”
The state-of-the-art field will also help in recruiting efforts, Ms. Bown said.
A dedication ceremony Thursday, complete with speeches and honorary first pitches, kicked off a double-header between NKU and the College of Mount St. Joseph. NKU won both games.
Mr. Grein, an accountant from Lockland and a nationally recognized women's softball coach, gave $387,000 to NKU's women's sports scholarships.
With state and NKU matching funds, his gift will generate as much as $750,000, including scholarships for physically challenged students.
Mr. Grein, 57, was born with a slight handicap. He owns his own accounting agency but is best known as founder and manager of Jake Sweeney-sponsored girls' softball teams (ages 18 and under). They won a world championship in 1978 and regularly rank in the top 10 nationwide.
Ms. Bown said she wants to focus on building a nationally ranked team.
“Our other women's sports programs have definitely put a lot of pressure on me,” she said.
The women's soccer, volleyball and tennis teams have all advanced to post-season NCAA play recently. And the basketball team won the NCAA Division II national title last month.
“Certainly my goal is to get the program up to that level.”
Sports Stories
Reds 5, Brewers 1
Mom will get ball from Junior's first Reds hit
Leading off, Pokey's a hit
Wohlers throws off mound; minors up next
Box, runs
Sosa brings 'big-time atmosphere' to town
Reds (1-2) vs. Cubs (1-4)
Readers cry foul over ballpark design
Bengals' Foley arrested again
Bengals launch Web site
Ex-Bengal Douthard guilty of possession
McAfee, West win Xavier awards
