The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Baseball Development Center has enhanced the Razorback Baseball brand while integrating into the fabric of the existing ballpark and creating a new gateway for spectators and front door for the program. The finished facility is both beautiful and functional, creating a space that the coaches, staff and players are proud to call their home.
Project Statement
The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Baseball Development Center was designed with the goal to create a facility that provides for player development and the future growth of the program, all while emphasizing the great legacy of Razorback Baseball as a perennial College World Series contender. This Development Center redefines the program's amenities with a focus on preparation, performance and recovery, and rivals the quality of a major league spring training facility. The building was designed to seamlessly integrate into the existing ballpark and stadium that has served the University of Arkansas Baseball program for more than twenty-five years, through material selection, alignment with existing conditions and pedestrian flow.
The program for the 52,000 square foot facility provides student-athletes with an improved and expanded locker room, team meeting room, strength and conditioning center, training room and hydrotherapy, weight room, team dining area, player lounge with nutrition center, student-athlete pitching and development lab and an in-venue batting tunnel. The new coach’s suite has offices for coaches and staff, coach’s locker room, conference room and a deck that provides fantastic views of Baum-Walker Stadium. The design staggers double-height rooms that provide views throughout the facility in section giving a visual connection throughout all levels.
The new Baseball Development Center not only enhances the team's brand identity, it creates a new gateway to experience Baum-Walker Stadium, featured in the right field corner of the stadium connecting it with the current west concourse. The Norm DeBriyn Champions Lobby features numerous historical displays and interactive content showcasing the 100-year history of Razorback Baseball. To serve the waiting list of patrons seeking new premium offerings, the team dining space doubles as VIP club access with loge seating and upper-level viewing in the Home Run terrace. It is truly the best seat in Fayetteville to cheer on the Razorback Baseball team!