Falcon Field renamed Erdle Field in honor of Brigadier General Philip J. Erdle
9/1/2023 5:05:00 PM | Baseball
Today, Falcon Field was officially renamed Erdle Field in honor of Brigadier General Philip J. Erdle during a ceremony at the Air Force Academy. Mrs. Carolyn Erdle and the Erdle family provided a lead gift of $2.5 million for the renovation of Falcon Field, the Air Force Academy's baseball field. The gift has been generously made by the Erdle Family, in honor and remembrance, of Brigadier General Philip J. Erdle. The project is one of the three priorities for Air Force Athletics in the Defining Our Future comprehensive campaign in support of the Air Force Academy's strategic plan.
"We would like to thank the Erdle Family for their dedication to Air Force Athletics and our baseball program," Director of Athletics Nathan Pine said. "The family's gift has helped pave the way for future expansion of our facility. We have started the architectural design process which will allow our baseball program to improve our facilities in a meaningful way very soon. The Erdle's gift has put us in a position to create opportunities for engagement and others to be involved in supporting this project."
The Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC) has already begun engaging on conceptual designs for the renovation, which will aim to bring a modern concourse with permanent concessions and bathrooms, a new press box, increased seating capacity, dugout renovations, a locker room for the visiting team and umpires and additional amenities for fans.
"What a great day for Falcon Baseball," Mick Erdle, son of Gen. Erdle, said on behalf of the Erdle Family. "Coach Kaz has done great things for this program and every now and then, an incredible player or two comes along to ignite the team to great achievements. They all deserve better facilities, and this new field will help attract those special players. Phil Erdle was a phenomenal baseball player, a magician at first base, who devoted much time and energy teaching cadets, kids and anyone who shared his love for the game. He also firmly believed in the mission of the Air Force Academy, to develop leaders of the strongest character. Baseball does that- a team sport that demands individual performance, that humbles even the greatest players who succeed only a third of the time at the plate. To see Dad's name on the Falcons' diamond, provides well deserved recognition for his efforts in Air Force athletics and fulfills a longtime dream of my own and our family."
General Erdle was a career Air Force officer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a 1952 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. General Erdle flew dozens of aircraft during his career including the F-84, F-100, and T-33. Later he would earn a master's degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Colorado.
General Erdle's career at the Academy was truly remarkable and diverse in his impact on Air Force's future leaders including time as a mechanics instructor, baseball coach, NCAA representative, and Vice Dean of Faculty. He was the 13th permanent professor, serving as the permanent professor for engineering sciences from 1964-65 and department of engineering mechanics from 1965-73. General Erdle was the sixth Vice Dean of Faculty (1973-79) and held the title of Permanent Professor Emeritus. Following his retirement, General Erdle continued to make an impact on the Academy by co-founding the Academy Research and Development Institute (ARDI), establishing and managing endowed professor chairs for the Air Force Academy, and served as the ARDI President and CEO.
To learn more about the Defining our Future campaign visit DefiningOurFuture.org. If you are interested in learning more about the renovation of Erdle Field, please contact the Falcon Athletic Fund at 719-333-4545 or giving@airforceathletics.org.
"We would like to thank the Erdle Family for their dedication to Air Force Athletics and our baseball program," Director of Athletics Nathan Pine said. "The family's gift has helped pave the way for future expansion of our facility. We have started the architectural design process which will allow our baseball program to improve our facilities in a meaningful way very soon. The Erdle's gift has put us in a position to create opportunities for engagement and others to be involved in supporting this project."
The Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC) has already begun engaging on conceptual designs for the renovation, which will aim to bring a modern concourse with permanent concessions and bathrooms, a new press box, increased seating capacity, dugout renovations, a locker room for the visiting team and umpires and additional amenities for fans.
"What a great day for Falcon Baseball," Mick Erdle, son of Gen. Erdle, said on behalf of the Erdle Family. "Coach Kaz has done great things for this program and every now and then, an incredible player or two comes along to ignite the team to great achievements. They all deserve better facilities, and this new field will help attract those special players. Phil Erdle was a phenomenal baseball player, a magician at first base, who devoted much time and energy teaching cadets, kids and anyone who shared his love for the game. He also firmly believed in the mission of the Air Force Academy, to develop leaders of the strongest character. Baseball does that- a team sport that demands individual performance, that humbles even the greatest players who succeed only a third of the time at the plate. To see Dad's name on the Falcons' diamond, provides well deserved recognition for his efforts in Air Force athletics and fulfills a longtime dream of my own and our family."
General Erdle was a career Air Force officer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a 1952 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. General Erdle flew dozens of aircraft during his career including the F-84, F-100, and T-33. Later he would earn a master's degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Colorado.
General Erdle's career at the Academy was truly remarkable and diverse in his impact on Air Force's future leaders including time as a mechanics instructor, baseball coach, NCAA representative, and Vice Dean of Faculty. He was the 13th permanent professor, serving as the permanent professor for engineering sciences from 1964-65 and department of engineering mechanics from 1965-73. General Erdle was the sixth Vice Dean of Faculty (1973-79) and held the title of Permanent Professor Emeritus. Following his retirement, General Erdle continued to make an impact on the Academy by co-founding the Academy Research and Development Institute (ARDI), establishing and managing endowed professor chairs for the Air Force Academy, and served as the ARDI President and CEO.
To learn more about the Defining our Future campaign visit DefiningOurFuture.org. If you are interested in learning more about the renovation of Erdle Field, please contact the Falcon Athletic Fund at 719-333-4545 or giving@airforceathletics.org.
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