Tiger Baseball: Vision for Victory

Tiger Family, Friends, and Fans,

God has given East Texas Baptist University a purpose and passion for developing our Tiger student athletes into committed followers of Jesus Christ. The distinctive of ETBU Athletics is our commitment to discipleship, ministry, and missions. Beyond the field, Tiger Baseball continues to expand its reach — from local youth camps to international sports clinics to community service projects — our Tigers are striving to impact people through a game loved all over the world and to introduce them to a Savior who loves them even more.

Integrating faith and learning is central to the Christ-centered mission of East Texas Baptist, and thus, we challenge our student athletes to fully integrate Christian faith into their lives. Our Vision for Victory in Christ through the sport of baseball is the foundation of Tiger Baseball.

Tiger Baseball has been an instrumental part of ETBU’s history since 1918, when the first baseball team took the field for the College of Marshall. Decade after decade, year after year, baseball has drawn quality players to the Hill to excel as skilled athletes, devoted scholars, and model campus leaders. Today, our ETBU Tigers are striving to enhance their success on the field and their impact in the community. We want to position our Tiger student athletes for even greater success with the building of outstanding athletic facilities. The construction of a new baseball park and clubhouse gives the ETBU Tiger Baseball program a broader platform to advance the cause of Christ as we bring regional and national attention to the Kingdom purposes of ETBU.

The quality of athletic facilities is one of the top priorities a prospective student athlete and their family consider when evaluating a college of choice. The addition of the new ETBU Ballpark and the Clubhouse at Tiger Yard will create one of the premiere NCAA Division III baseball facilities in the nation. Providing the Tigers a place to gather for team meetings, discipleship, and fellowship coupled with an exceptional baseball stadium experience for spectators will distinguish ETBU from the competition.

God bless and Go Tigers!

J. Blair Blackburn President East Texas Baptist University

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME...

Do you remember your first baseball game? Maybe it was taking the field in little league or watching the game from the grandstands with your dad. From the fond memories held of America’s pastime, we recall the smell of the grass, the feel of the bat in our hands, the sounds of the cheering crowd, and the tension that hung in the air with bases loaded, two outs, and a 3-2 count.

Whether you were a player or fan, the vision for victory made the game exciting!

East Texas Baptist University Baseball offers a thrilling sport for scores of raving fans and certainly for young men called to claim victory as ETBU Tigers. At East Texas Baptist, baseball is not just about winning games, but also about winning in life. It’s about transforming Tigers into dedicated servant leaders. It’s about reaching people through the sport of baseball — for the love of the game. It’s about impacting people — for the love of God.

Through East Texas Baptist Tiger Baseball, we have the opportunity to claim victory on the field and to claim victory in the lives of people by building an NCAA championship baseball program and building faithful men for God’s Kingdom. Your partnership with East Texas Baptist University will enable us to pursue the Vision for Victory today and for the generations of Tiger Baseball players to come.

"It’s an amazing feeling knowing that our school has made the investment for our baseball program to have our own stadium. All the hard work that has been put into this program from years past until now makes this more meaningful than anything. We are all extremely excited. One thing I would tell the future generations of ETBU Tigers is that you are joining a family. Yes, you’re coming here to play ball, but you’re also going to build relationships and make memories that will last forever."

JAKE MILLER '22

"Ephesians 3:20 says that the Lord is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think. That rings true with how He worked in my life through Tiger Baseball. The impact that the program had on my life is immeasurable and I'll forever be grateful God called me to Marshall, Texas, to be an ETBU Tiger. I came to ETBU because it was the only school in the country that offered me a spot on their baseball team. I left with the knowledge, wisdom, and skills to excel in this world, love my wife well, and faithfully pursue Jesus Christ."

CONNER COMBS '17

TIGER YARD

LOCKER ROOM

MECHANICAL ROOM EQUIPMENT ROOM

TIGER BASEBALL DEN

ASST. COACH

ASSOC. HEAD COACH

MICROMARKET GROCERY ATRIUM

HEAD COACH

SUITE

"We are excited about the Vision for Victory program, as it will showcase ETBU’s continued commitment to stateof-the-art facilities throughout campus and enable the University to continue to recruit and attract quality students who desire to receive a Christ-centered education. The Vision for Victory, which includes new ballpark facilities and a new baseball clubhouse at Tiger Yard, ETBU’s latest student residential development, will have an immediate impact on athletics, residence life, student life, and the entire campus community."

You are invited to be a part of history that makes our Vision for Victory campaign a reality for future generations of Tigers! Your gift of support will provide a magnificent new facility for ETBU Baseball and will be a great addition to the beautiful campus of East Texas Baptist University.

Your investment in the Vision for Victory not only supports current Tiger Baseball team members as they represent the Lord and ETBU on the field of play, but also will support our student athletes as they impact others through God's calling in life. Thank you for partnering with ETBU Tiger Baseball!

RYAN ERWIN VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & ATHLETICS

To join the Vision for Victory through ETBU Tiger Baseball, please make an investment online at www.ETBU.edu/VICTORY. If you prefer for an ETBU representative to contact you or meet with you personally, please call 903.923.2071 to schedule an appointment.

ETBU BASEBALL BALLPARK TIGER YARD

"DON’T YOU KNOW THAT THE RUNNERS IN A STADIUM ALL RACE, BUT ONLY ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE? RUN IN SUCH A WAY TO WIN THE PRIZE. NOW EVERYONE WHO COMPETES EXERCISES SELF-CONTROL IN EVERYTHING. THEY DO IT TO RECEIVE A PERISHABLE CROWN, BUT WE AN IMPERISHABLE CROWN ."

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-25