UWM Baseball Team To Get New Scoreboard At Henry Aaron Field

April 29, 2008

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team has announced that Henry Aaron Field will receive a new state-of-the-art scoreboard before the end of the month. Brewers Charities and Time Warner Cable have combined efforts to make the project happen.

"We are always trying to find ways to upgrade our baseball program and upgrading our facilities is number one on that list," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "This is a step in the right direction."

The new scoreboard is 15 feet high and 44 feet wide and features digital wireless controls that will dramatically improve viewing amenities at the field.

"We are excited to partner with Brewers Charities and Time Warner Cable on this project," Doffek said. "Brewers Charities has done many positive things for the community and this project will impact many youth baseball players. Time Warner Cable has made a big investment in baseball in the area with its expanded high school and college coverage. We are proud and excited to be part of this commitment."

UWM corporate sales manager John Stewart approached Brewers Charities and Time Warner Cable in December 2007 seeking a co-funded donation for the new scoreboard.

"We approached Time Warner Cable because of its strong affiliation with Milwaukee athletics as a broadcast and corporate sponsor," Stewart said.

Time Warner Cable agreed to co-fund the project largely on the same community service criteria (the heavy local and regional use of the field) in addition to its strong affiliation and corporate partnership with UWM Athletics.

"Time Warner Cable and TWC Sports 32 are proud of our continued partnership with UWM and this new sponsorship further enhances our commitment to the University and its athletic programs," Time Warner Cable Vice President of Public Affairs Bev Greenberg said.

One of the stated goals of Brewers Charities is to support baseball in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin, a mission that has resulted in numerous donations to local youth baseball programs for new field construction.

"Brewers Charities supports youth recreation initiatives, so we see the new scoreboard as a great fit with our goal of bringing baseball to fans of all ages," President of Brewers Charities Lynn Sprangers said. "The Milwaukee Brewers and Brewers Charities also maintain strong ties with Hank Aaron and we know that he would be thrilled to learn that we are investing in a ball field that bears his name."

UWM Athletics made the case that Henry Aaron Field is one of the primary baseball venues in Milwaukee and the playing site for almost 200 games each year by area high schools, adult and youth recreation leagues and Milwaukee Panthers baseball. Replacing the old, inoperable scoreboard with a new one met the funding criteria of Brewers Charities.

"Brewers Charities has a stated mission of supporting baseball in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas," Stewart said. "We felt that, considering the use of the field and who is using the facility, the `Hank' is a valuable baseball venue in the area and a worthy project to try and get rolling."

Milwaukee has made numerous improvements to Henry Aaron Field since calling it home starting with the 1994 season. Other recent improvements include new dugouts in 2004, resodding of the field and upgrades to the bullpens. This past off-season, the infield was re-leveled and sodded, padding was added to the backstop and a new batter's eye has been constructed behind the center field fence.

--Story provided by the Milwaukee office of sports information