Coach commits $100,000 to Husson> Funds to be used to renovate `Winkin Baseball Complex’

BANGOR – John Winkin hasn’t played baseball for 60 years, but when he was on the field, the fiery competitor always served as his team’s leadoff hitter.

This summer, the veteran coach hopes to spark a momentous rally to renovate the baseball facility at Husson College.

Husson president Bill Beardsley announced Tuesday that the 82-year-old Winkin has kicked off a building project for Husson’s baseball facility by donating property to the college worth more than $100,000. Husson’s board of directors responded by naming the facility the John W. Winkin Baseball Complex.

The announcements were made Tuesday during a press conference held in Husson’s Hall of Fame Room. Some 40 Husson staff members, student-athletes and Winkin friends and family members turned out for the event.

The money will be generated from the sale of Winkin’s summer home on China Lake. He bought the four-bedroom camp in 1960 from the late Sen. Edmund S. Muskie, but said the property is too large for his family’s needs and his ability to take care of it.

Winkin, who joined Husson as a Fellow in Sports Leadership and assistant baseball coach in 1996, has since his arrival been exploring the potential for various facilities projects at Husson.

“I feel this place needs it the most and for that reason I’m comfortable in making the choice to do it here,” Winkin said. “I’m returning something to a game that I’ve spent my life working at.”

Winkin’s gesture made an impression on many, including Husson senior shortstop Don Sawyer.

“It shows his dedication to baseball like no other,” said Sawyer, who also arrived at Husson in ’96. “For him to sell his camp, I can’t imagine it. I stood there listening to him tell his stories, how sincere he is, and my hair stood up on end.”

After UMaine failed to rehire Winkin as its baseball coach in 1996, Beardsley enlisted his services at Husson. Winkin cited the long-term relationships he has developed with Husson leaders Beardsley, Bruce MacGregor, George Wildey, John Kolasinski, Paul Husson and former coach and school president Del Merrill as helping him make his decision.

“It’s because of all these people,” Winkin said. “Husson was there when it counted and I am honored to be there at this important juncture to help Husson get moving along.”

Winkin has been the catalyst for other notable building projects. During the 1950s, he oversaw the construction of the field house at Colby College in Waterville. In the 1970s and ’80s, he was instrumental in the development of the Mahaney Diamond complex during his tenure at the University of Maine.

“This is a tremendous sacrificial gift,” Beardsley said. “It’s a real tribute to John, his love of the sport and the players. He lives for them.”

Winkin’s initial gift should enable Husson to undertake the first step in what he hopes will be a multiphase renovation project for the complex. The first step will include construction of major league-size brick dugouts, a brick retaining wall running between the dugouts and around the backstop, seating and protective netting.

The design will place the bleachers on a raised earth platform that will run around the back of the diamond. It will enable Husson to conduct its commencement ceremony and other activities there.

However, it’s only the beginning.

“I’d like it to be as good as anything we’ve ever done anyplace else,” said Winkin, who alluded to the possibility of someday bringing a minor league franchise to Bangor. It’s a topic he has discussed at length with Bangor-area politicians and business leaders.

“We’re hoping to attract a professional team here to Bangor and my ultimate dream would be that they could play right here on this field. I think it has the potential for that. People are going to have to understand it’s going to take time to get there.”

As a result of Winkin’s gift, Husson is planning to move its soccer field off the baseball outfield to another campus site in 2001. Husson will instead use part of the outfield grass for field hockey.

Work on the first phase is expected to begin this fall and be completed in April. Husson alumnus Brian Ames of the Ames Corporation in Bangor is the project architect.

“It’s a great commitment from [Winkin] to the program, to us,” said Kolasinski, the Husson baseball coach. “We’ve all dreamed about having a facility like this. Now we can see the first steps.”

Phase II of the projected renovations, scheduled for next summer, includes a brick structure behind home plate that will house a press box, concession stand and equipment storage room. Additional seating, permanent fencing around the outfield, drainage, resodding and a warning track are among other items on Husson’s wish list.

Winkin is hoping to find naming gifts for the press box and dugouts, while former Husson player Dan Curtis is spearheading the future fundraising drive.

Bullpens, lights and more seating would eventually complete the project.