California State University Northridge Athletics
Photo by: Paul Trafecanty
CSUN Kicks Off Phase One of Matador Field Renovation Project
1/29/2018 9:45:00 AM | Baseball, General
En Español
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Baseball held a special ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the new Matador Field Entrance Plaza on Sunday, January 28.
Following the generous lead gift of alumnus Irv Zakheim, the new entrance plaza is the first phase of the Baseball Stadium Renovation Project, which proposes to modernize and upgrade Matador Field. The new entrance plaza will be located in the southwest corner of the facility.
Features include wrought iron fencing, custom signage, new landscaping and a ticket booth. Fans will have a view of the playing field, allowing the community to gather on game day before cheering on the Matadors.Â
"Thanks to Irv's gift, the Irv Zakheim Entrance Plaza will help us advance our goal of using athletics as a tool of engagement not only for our community but in enhancing school spirit," said CSUN President Dr. Dianne Harrison. "In addition, the location is such that a huge number of our students will walk by the entrance plaza every day so students in general will be able to appreciate it and find a new point of pride on our campus."
Zakheim played two seasons at CSUN, then known as San Fernando Valley State College, as the team's starting second baseman from 1970-71. In his first season with CSUN, Zakheim helped the Matadors reach the pinnacle of their sport, winning the 1970 NCAA Division II National Championship. The Matadors went 7-2 in the postseason that year including 4-1 at the College World Series.Â
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He is the chairman and CEO of Zak Designs, a company he founded in 1976 while importing puka shell necklaces from the Philippines. Zak Designs has grown significantly in the years since and today the global company is one of the leading distributors of licensed mealtime products and active lifestyle beverageware. In 2011, Zakheim was honored with CSUN's Distinguished Alumni Award, one of the highest honors from the university, and he remains extremely connected to CSUN Athletics and the CSUN Baseball team.
"When I played at CSUN, or San Fernando Valley State College as it was called back then, we didn't play on a great field so one of the things I wanted to do to make a difference was improving our facility," said Zakheim. "Everything you do is brick by brick and mine is the first brick to get it started.
"The philosophy is we wanted to do something and make an impact not only in the community but with alumni and everyone else and to do that everyone is capable of being a brick. What we need is the community to get involved in this project to the extent that we want to have the vision to improve the facility here to win national championships."
CSUN Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin thanked Zakheim and his wife Angela for their generous gift and for their vision for the CSUN baseball program and athletics department. Â
"When I first met Irv in 2013, he talked about championships, about his love for coach Hiegert and about making our baseball facility one of the best in the nation," said Martin. "Today we take a significant step in making Irv's dream and vision a reality.
"I want to thank Irv again for his generous gift but more importantly I want to thank him for the indelible mark that he has left on our baseball program, athletics department and the University at large."
Construction is set to commence in February and will not affect any CSUN Baseball games this upcoming 2018 season.
#GoMatadors
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(1/29/2018) Matador Field Plaza Ground Breaking
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Baseball held a special ground breaking ceremony to celebrate the new Matador Field Entrance Plaza on Sunday, January 28.
Following the generous lead gift of alumnus Irv Zakheim, the new entrance plaza is the first phase of the Baseball Stadium Renovation Project, which proposes to modernize and upgrade Matador Field. The new entrance plaza will be located in the southwest corner of the facility.
Features include wrought iron fencing, custom signage, new landscaping and a ticket booth. Fans will have a view of the playing field, allowing the community to gather on game day before cheering on the Matadors.Â
"Thanks to Irv's gift, the Irv Zakheim Entrance Plaza will help us advance our goal of using athletics as a tool of engagement not only for our community but in enhancing school spirit," said CSUN President Dr. Dianne Harrison. "In addition, the location is such that a huge number of our students will walk by the entrance plaza every day so students in general will be able to appreciate it and find a new point of pride on our campus."
Zakheim played two seasons at CSUN, then known as San Fernando Valley State College, as the team's starting second baseman from 1970-71. In his first season with CSUN, Zakheim helped the Matadors reach the pinnacle of their sport, winning the 1970 NCAA Division II National Championship. The Matadors went 7-2 in the postseason that year including 4-1 at the College World Series.Â
Â
He is the chairman and CEO of Zak Designs, a company he founded in 1976 while importing puka shell necklaces from the Philippines. Zak Designs has grown significantly in the years since and today the global company is one of the leading distributors of licensed mealtime products and active lifestyle beverageware. In 2011, Zakheim was honored with CSUN's Distinguished Alumni Award, one of the highest honors from the university, and he remains extremely connected to CSUN Athletics and the CSUN Baseball team.
"When I played at CSUN, or San Fernando Valley State College as it was called back then, we didn't play on a great field so one of the things I wanted to do to make a difference was improving our facility," said Zakheim. "Everything you do is brick by brick and mine is the first brick to get it started.
"The philosophy is we wanted to do something and make an impact not only in the community but with alumni and everyone else and to do that everyone is capable of being a brick. What we need is the community to get involved in this project to the extent that we want to have the vision to improve the facility here to win national championships."
CSUN Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin thanked Zakheim and his wife Angela for their generous gift and for their vision for the CSUN baseball program and athletics department. Â
"When I first met Irv in 2013, he talked about championships, about his love for coach Hiegert and about making our baseball facility one of the best in the nation," said Martin. "Today we take a significant step in making Irv's dream and vision a reality.
"I want to thank Irv again for his generous gift but more importantly I want to thank him for the indelible mark that he has left on our baseball program, athletics department and the University at large."
Construction is set to commence in February and will not affect any CSUN Baseball games this upcoming 2018 season.
#GoMatadors
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