Mount Vernon Nazarene University has announced the launch of Phase Two of its On Deck Campaign, which aims to further enhance the Cougar Baseball program. The campaign follows the completion of the Tim Belcher Clubhouse and seeks to raise an additional $500,000 toward a total goal of $1.2 million for this phase. So far, $700,000 in commitments have been secured from alumni and supporters. The university requires all pledges confirmed and 75 percent of funds in hand before construction can begin.
“The Tim Belcher Clubhouse proved what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Mike Cheek ’82, Executive Director of Alumni & Major Gifts. “Phase Two will add to our vision of a facility that allows us to compete at the highest level while providing an exceptional experience for our student-athletes.”
The upgrades planned in this phase are intended not only to improve conditions for current players but also to help recruit new talent as the program develops its reputation.
The campaign encourages broad participation from donors rather than focusing on large contributions alone. “If you can only give a little, please give a little. If you can give more, give more,” Cheek said. “The size of the gift matters less than the participation itself. When we come together — all of us — there’s nothing we can’t achieve.”
To support fundraising efforts, the university will hold its 2nd Annual On Deck Dinner on January 17, 2026, at Ariel Arena’s Foster Hall. The event is open to the public and will feature MVNU baseball alumnus Mark Coulter as speaker. Tickets are priced at $100 per person with proceeds going toward the campaign; tables for eight are available.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is based in Mount Vernon, Ohio https://mvnu.edu/about/history-and-presidents/ and serves students from Ohio, West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky as part of its affiliation with the Church of the Nazarene https://mvnu.edu/about/faith-and-learning/what-is-nazarene/. It operates as an evangelical Christian liberal arts institution https://mvnu.edu/about/faith-and-learning/what-is-nazarene/, emphasizing community service and global outreach rooted in Wesleyan traditions https://mvnu.edu/about/mission-and-vision/. MVNU is a member of both the Crossroads League and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics https://mvnu.edu/about/who-we-are/.
For further details about participating in Phase Two or registering for the dinner event, information is available at mvnu.edu/on-deck.
