BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb held a special dedication ceremony Saturday afternoon to introduce a spectacular John Henry Moss Stadium and Bill Masters Field to the public.

The ceremony, which drew nearly 600 fans and alumni, honored several families and individuals who played a major financial role in the project. A special ribbon cutting kicked off the activities, with fans then pouring through Hamrick Gate into the stands.

Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch, head coach Rusty Stroupe, local businessman Bill Masters, South Atlantic League representative Roger McKee (Asheville Tourists) and GWU president Dr. Frank Bonner then greeted those in attendance with remarks, following a rendition of the National Anthem played by the GWU marching band on the playing surface.

"We are very excited about unveiling this facility and what this place means to Gardner-Webb baseball," said Burch. "This facility is a tribute not only to our current players and coaches, but to all the alumni and former coaches like Norman Harris, Jerry Bryson and Clyde Miller who came before them. We are truly blessed to have this place to call home for our baseball program."

The Gardner-Webb alumni battled the current GWU team in the annual alumni game after the ceremony, with the current group capturing the win. Redshirt junior Matt Sapp belted the first home run in the facility, and senior Aaron Miller followed with a shot of his own shortly after.

Senior lefty Kyle Paeplow took the mound first for the GWU regulars.

Former players from several different decades returned to campus for the event, including Hall of Famers Terry Wright and Wes Gentry and many of the starters from GWU's 2008 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament finalist team.