JONESBORO (10-12-2007) ? Three additions to the Arkansas State Baseball Legacy Walk will be dedicated Saturday afternoon at a 4:00 p.m. ceremony at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.
The Legacy Walk program recognizes friends of ASU Baseball for their contributions to the program with the dedication of one of the brick pillars beneath Tomlinson Stadium. Saturday's ceremony will honor former ASU Head Baseball Coach J.A. “Ike” Tomlinson along with former baseball players Jim Callaway and William Troy Martin.
Tomlinson was a part of the ASU athletic program for more than six decades, and as athletic director, was primarily responsible for the rebirth of ASU athletics following World War II. He coached numerous teams at Arkansas State, including the Indian baseball team, and was honored in 1994 with the naming of Tomlinson Stadium. Saturday's Legacy Walk honor is made possible through the contributions of John and Arda McMullen.
Callaway was a member of the 1967 Indian baseball team that finished 26-8, posting the highest winning percentage in the history of the program. The 1967 Tribe squad also advanced to the Midwest Regional. Callaway and the 1968 Indians followed the previous year's success by advancing to the College Division World Series, compiling a season record of 22-12-1. Following his time at Arkansas State, Callaway has enjoyed a successful business career at AT&T, and has continued to be a generous supporter of Arkansas State and ASU Baseball.
As a member of the school's first-ever baseball team in 1910, Martin helped pave the way for the current Arkansas State baseball program. Just one year after the institution was founded by the Arkansas Legislature as a regional agricultural training school, Martin became a part of the inaugural baseball team, and played from 1910-1914. Martin's Legacy Walk pillar is made possible through the generosity of Cecil and Carolyn Bowers.
“We are extremely grateful for the contributions that made these three Legacy Walk dedications possible,” said ASU Head Coach Keith Kessinger. “The generosity displayed by the Bowers family, the McMullen family, and Mr. Callaway is very much appreciated by the Arkansas State baseball program, and will help us continue the program's success.”
Prior to the dedication ceremony, the Indian baseball team will play an intra-squad scrimmage beginning at 1:00 p.m. Admission to the scrimmage is free.
