The John Carroll School in Bel Air was already known for having a large campus that included more than a dozen athletic venues. Another step was taken toward enhancing that aspect of campus life Nov. 4, when the school held a groundbreaking ceremony on a new baseball facility.
The construction of Alumni Field at Kutcher Foundation Stadium, which will have artificial turf, was made possible through the largest grant in the history of the school, the amount of which was not disclosed.
Based in Harford County, the Kutcher Foundation, according to a news release from the school, is a private operating foundation which promotes “leadership development, mentoring and making a positive difference in the world.”
On hand for the groundbreaking were several members of the Kutcher family, including John and Sue Weller Kutcher, a member of the class of 1985, and their three sons, Steven ’17, Tim ’15 and Joe ’22.
According to the news release, the grant includes “creative learning spaces both on and off the field, with unique programs and educational experiences in the fields of computer science, data analytics and sports journalism. The centerpieces for these initiatives will include a state-of-the-art Innovation Center and a collegiate-caliber baseball facility that will serve as real-world laboratories for innovative curricula in STEAM, data science and media studies.”
To that end, future phases of the project will include “equipping the facility with sports analytics and broadcasting equipment” to “prepare students for modern careers in media, math and science.”
The Kutcher Foundation’s support of baseball includes initiatives at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, one of the nation’s premier NCAA Division III programs.
The new field should be ready for play next spring. It will include dugouts, fencing and a removable mound so that the facility can be transitioned for softball.
“The Kutchers and the Kutcher Foundation have given John Carroll and its students an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Steve DiBiagio, the president of the school. “We are beyond grateful for their generosity, their kindness, and their strong faith in the future of our young people.”
The groundbreaking included Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, Harford County Chief Advisor Billy Boniface, ’82, Harford County Councilman Tony Giangiordano, Bel Air Town Commissioners Erin Hughes and Donna Kahoe, and Town of Bel Air Economic Development Coordinator Angela Robertson.
The school’s campus already includes several artificial turf fields, and a separate track and field facility. The Patriots compete in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association for boys and the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland for girls.
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