Pelfrey, Looper donate to Eck Stadium building fund

The Eck Stadium bullpens will be named for Mike Pelfrey and Braden Looper after the former Wichita State pitchers made donations to the facility.

WSU announced the donations on Tuesday. Both are six-figure donations, but an athletic department spokesperson declined to reveal the amount in accordance with instructions from Pelfrey and Looper.

Both gifts will go to the 10,000-square foot weights and conditioning facility planned for Eck Stadium. Baseball, softball, golf and tennis athletes will use the facility. The building will connect to the existing fieldhouse and the third-base dugout, which will house the Shockers.

“My family and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to give back to the program that has given so much to us,” Pelfrey said in a statement. “WSU gave me the tools necessary to get me where I am today and it is our hope that this contribution will help others achieve their dreams as well.”

Fund-raising for the $3 million building is ongoing and there is no timetable for construction.

“The continued support of former players reinforces their love and commitment to Shocker baseball,” WSU athletic director Darron Boatright said in a statement.

The home bullpen will be named for Pelfrey, a WSU All-American and the No. 9 pick in the 2005 draft. He pitches for the Chicago White Sox.

Looper, whose name will adorn the visiting bullpen, earned All-America honors as a reliever. He was the No. 3 pick in the 1996 draft and pitched in the major leagues from 1998-2009.

This story was originally published June 27, 2017 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Pelfrey, Looper donate to Eck Stadium building fund."