Baseball Field Named

Lehigh’s baseball field has a new name—the J. David Walker Field at Legacy Park, named in honor of the highly respected professor of mechanical engineering who earned a reputation as an accomplished researcher and devoted teacher during his 25 years at the university. Walker died in 2004.

Walker Field also will undergo expansions, including a new outfield fence, scoreboard and upgrades to the batter’s eye in center field. Upgrades will be made to the surrounding area, including entranceway signage, improvements to the entrance walkway, a donor recognition plaza and a covered pavilion for alumni and fans to gather.

The naming and improvements are made possible by the significant contributions of Walker’s sons, Dr. Neal Walker ’92 and Dr. Jim Walker, childhood friends of Lehigh’s current baseball head coach Sean Leary.

“We felt compelled to contribute the funds to this important project to honor our father’s commitment to teaching in the classroom and on the field. He had a true passion for teaching and was always selfless when it came to coaching both of us in baseball,” the sons said. “He taught us both an unending love of learning both in the classroom and in our sports endeavors. We felt that naming the field in his honor was the perfect reflection of his passion for teaching and enables others to do what they love.”