7-Figure Gift Highlights $3.8 Million in Donations for Baylor Baseball

The Baylor baseball program has received a lead “seven-figure” gift and has collected around $3.8 million in total donations, Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades shared with 365 Sports Wednesday afternoon.

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Athletic Director Mack Rhoades shared Wednesday that Mitch Thompson and the BU baseball program have received about $3.8 million in donations.

While Rhoades noted that details weren’t fully ready to be announced by the University at the time of his statement, it’s a huge step in the right direction for the baseball program as Mitch Thompson enters his second year as Baylor’s head coach.

“We’ve had some donors step up,” Rhoades said. 

The $3.8 million will reportedly be used solely for baseball, and the majority of the money will go toward updating facilities – a much-needed boost considering Baylor Ballpark opened in 1999 and has not seen many renovations since.

The coaching staff and administration are also well aware of BU’s need to be competitive with NIL.  "There have been positive conversations with former players who want to help in [the NIL] space,” Rhoades said.

Despite a season in which the Bears went 20-35 and missed the Big 12 Tournament, the donation is a “shot in the arm” for Thompson and the rest of the baseball program.

“We want to make sure Baylor baseball has a chance to be competitive and nationally relevant, Rhoades said. “We absolutely have the right person in place when you think about Coach Thompson and the staff. … We’re in a good place, and we’re going to continue to push and move forward.”