The Troy University Alumni Association is commemorating the latest successes of the Trojans’ baseball team and the renovations taking place at Riddle-Pace Field in its latest Christmas ornament.
Now in its 24th year of production, the alumni Christmas ornament has become a prized annual addition to the decorations of Trojan alumni and friends. Designed for the TROY Alumni Association by Beacon Designs, the ornaments depict special moments throughout the University’s history. Previous ornaments have featured Sorrell Chapel, the Sound of the South marching band, TROY’s longstanding service to the military, the opening of Trojan Arena, the North End Zone addition to Veterans Memorial Stadium and the celebration of Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr.’s 30th year as Chancellor.
“We are excited to celebrate the history and tradition of Troy University baseball, the successes of this year’s team and the newly renovated facility that will be among the best in the country,” said Faith Byrd, Director of Alumni Affairs. “We know that Troy fans will want to join in commemorating this historic time in Trojan baseball by adding this year’s ornament to their collections.”
This year’s ornament features the façade of the newly renovated Riddle-Pace Field, including the expanded entrance and a rotunda that will greet fans as they enter the stadium. The top of the ornament includes a baseball with TROY’s “Power T” logo, while an inscription at the bottom reads “Troy University Riddle-Pace Field 2023.”
The $12 million renovation project includes new coaches’ offices, team meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art video room, a new RBI Club seating option with access to an indoor club area, chairback seating throughout the facility and a concourse area for fans featuring concession stands and a team shop.
Dr. Hawkins presented the new ornament to each member of the team’s coaching staff on Aug. 16.
“We are excited about this new $12 million investment in our baseball facility,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We are not investing in that facility to win a few baseball games. We are investing in that facility to propel us to the national championship in Omaha, Nebraska. We can do this. Why not TROY?”
Head baseball coach Skylar Meade said he had heard about the ornament for several months but had avoided seeing the design.
“I refused to see it because I wanted to be surprised when it was presented,” Meade said. “This is first class. I think everyone needs to try to get one of these because I think it represents a new phase of history. TROY has tons of history and tons of history in baseball, and I think we are about to unlock a new chapter. This is just a starting point, a memory of what is going on here and what I think everyone is going to see in mid-February next year with the finished product here at Riddle-Pace.”
In his second year at the helm in 2023, Meade’s Trojans posted 40 wins and returned to postseason play for the first time since 2018.
“All of the things that have gone on for us in a 24-month window has been pretty exciting,” Meade said. “I told the team in June, while we were still playing, that at some point, we all have to take a breath and appreciate all that is going on here and how fast it is happening, but that doesn’t mean you take your foot off the pedal either.”
The ornament can be purchased for $20. To purchase this year’s ornament or previous ornaments, visit the Troy University Alumni Association website at troy.edu/alumni or contact the Alumni Affairs Office at 334-670-3318.
