MLB All-Star Legacy Project to turn campus house into BW student veterans center

Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Indians are going to bat for student veterans at Baldwin Wallace University by helping to fund a new BW student veterans center as a 2019 All-Star Legacy Project.

The All-Star Student Veterans Center at BW is part of approximately $5 million in community enrichment projects tied to MLB's Midsummer Classic to be hosted by the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field this July.

According to Major League Baseball, the annual All-Star Legacy initiative is "designed to leave a lasting impact throughout the local community as well as support national charitable organizations with close ties to baseball."

Covering the bases

The BW project will cover all the bases for student veterans by transforming a two-story, university-owned, single-family home on E. Grand Street across from the Strosacker Hall student union into a multifunctional space. The handicapped accessible facility will include quiet rooms for studying and counseling, lounge areas, a full kitchen, bathrooms and a gaming area.

"This space will support and enrich the experience of veterans working to earn a degree and transition into new civilian career paths," said Britnee Davis, president of BW's Student Veteran Organization (SVO). "The project addresses the distinctive needs of our student veteran population. We're looking forward to having a place on campus we can call home."

More than 90 U.S. Military Service Veterans are currently enrolled at BW.

"The hard work and vision of many have grown BW veteran services through the years, and the addition of a veterans' house on campus has always been a dream of our program," said Nancy Jirousek, director of BW Adult, Transfer and Military Services. "Now, through the generosity of donors, including Major League Baseball, the dream will become a reality."

Lasting Legacy

In addition to the BW project, the 2019 All-Star Legacy effort also features improvements to youth baseball/softball playing fields and facilities, and a local Boys & Girls Club.

The various All-Star Legacy projects will be unveiled leading up to the 90th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. MLB, the Indians and BW will celebrate the opening of the new student veterans center on Friday, July 5.

For news coverage of today's announcement, including "before" video inside the BW veterans house, check out stories on cleveland.com, Fox 8 Cleveland and WKYC-TV 3.