PROVO — First, it was a basketball arena, the Delta Center, to house the Utah Jazz. Ten years later, Jazz owner Larry H. Miller and his wife, Gail, have played a key role in establishing a new home for the BYU baseball and softball teams. The school announced Tuesday that the Millers have made "a significant financial contribution" toward the building of a baseball/softball facility, which is set to open in 2001. In honor of the Millers, BYU will name the complex Miller Park.
The baseball diamond will be called Larry H. Miller Field and the adjacent softball diamond will be known as Gail Miller Field. "My family and I are grateful and excited to be associated with BYU in this endeavor," Larry Miller said in a prepared statement. "This only serves to solidify our nearly 20-year relationship with BYU. Hopefully, this will serve not only as an improved playing facility, but also as a recruiting and development tool for BYU's baseball and softball programs."
"BYU is pleased to have the Miller name prominently displayed on it campus," BYU President Merrill Bateman said. "Larry and Gail Miller have made many sacrifices to further athletics of a high standard in the state of Utah. This is one more example of their unselfishness benefiting thousands of people who love the sports of softball and baseball."
Larry Miller, who also owns the Delta Center, the WNBA's Utah Starzz and numerous car dealerships in the West, is a member of the Utah Softball Hall of Fame and the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame. He also sponsors the Miller Toyota softball team, which competes nationally. "We are deeply indebted to the Millers for their generosity," said athletic director Val Hale.
"Larry and Gail have been long-time supporters of softball and baseball. Their gift will assure that those sports thrive at BYU for many years to come. This will be one of the finest collegiate baseball/softball facilities in the nation."
The 4,000-seat, $7 million complex will be built on the baseball field's current location, across the street from the Marriott Center. While the baseball diamond will remain in its current site, facing east, the softball diamond will face northwest. Both fields will be equipped with lights for night play and new scoreboards.
In January, crews tore down the outfield fence, which is being replaced by an eight-foot wall that will be 20 feet farther from home plate. It is scheduled to be completed prior to BYU's home opener in mid-March. Following the Cougars' final home game at the end of May, the stadium portion of the construction project will begin.