San José State University announced it has raised more than $5.5 million to complete renovations for the San José State Spartans men’s baseball stadium at Excite Ballpark in San José, California. This fundraising milestone is part of a broader campaign that has generated over $19 million in philanthropic and community support for Spartan Athletics since July 1, 2026.
The project aims to provide Spartan Baseball with a championship-caliber home that significantly enhances the student-athlete experience. Improvements include a dedicated San José State clubhouse, new coaches’ offices, access to a state-of-the-art weight room, and indoor and outdoor hitting and pitching tunnels. The upgrades will also enable the Spartans to host Mountain West tournaments in the future.
Excite Ballpark, which originally opened in 1942 and has welcomed more than eight million fans, will continue to host both Spartan Baseball and the San José Giants. The San José Giants and Diamond Baseball Holdings have committed to a long-term agreement to remain at the stadium through 2050, contributing joint investments to further stadium improvements.
In honor of the program’s history, the field at Excite Ballpark will be named after legendary former head coach Sam Piraro, who led San José State to its historic 2000 College World Series appearance. The current Spartans have maintained a competitive tradition with a Mountain West Championship win in 2023 and appearances in four consecutive Mountain West Championship games from 2022 to 2025.
Jeff Konya, San José State’s Director of Athletics, emphasized the importance of community support in realizing the project. “This investment in Spartan Baseball reflects the strength of our community and our shared commitment to providing San José State student-athletes with the resources, facilities, and competitive environment they deserve,” he said.
Senior Deputy Director of Athletics Scott MacDonald highlighted the collaboration involved, noting, “This project is a powerful example of what can happen when philanthropy, strategic partnership and institutional vision come together.” Coach Brad Sanfilippo expressed gratitude to donors and partners for their belief in the program and the foundation they have helped create for sustained success.
CSB Take
San José State University’s successful fundraising to complete the Spartan Baseball stadium project at Excite Ballpark marks a significant step in enhancing the program’s facilities and recruiting capabilities. This collaborative approach combining philanthropy, community partnerships, and strategic vision sets a model for sustainable collegiate sports development. With upgraded facilities and a dedicated home field named after a celebrated coach, the Spartans are well-positioned to maintain and build upon their recent competitive achievements in the Mountain West.
Source: Original report
