CSUN Alum Zakheim Hits a Home Run in Support of Baseball’s Champion Student-Athletes

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Baseball alumnus Irv Zakheim has once again stepped up to the plate in support of Baseball's Champion Student-Athletes. With his gift of $500,000, along with a recent $100,000 matching gift, Zakheim has contributed $600,000 in support of the Baseball program over the past year.

"I want to thank Irv for his generous financial commitment to Baseball, and importantly, his passion in support of the soon to be announced Field of Dreams Baseball Project," said CSUN Director of Athletics Shawn Chin-Farrell. "Irv shares our core values to Champion Excellence by putting our student-athletes in the best position for success on and off the field."

After finishing with its best record in 21 years in 2023, CSUN Athletics has been hard at work enhancing Baseball's facilities. Recent improvements include developing a state-of-the-art playing field surface which is now among the best on the West Coast. Enhancements were also made to improve the student-athlete experience, including upgrades to the team clubhouse with new carpeting, lockers, seating, painting, branding and providing more usable space.

In addition to the current enhancements, CSUN Athletics will be announcing more details regarding the Field of Dreams Baseball Project in the coming days. Phase One of the Eight Phase project includes a new Daktronics videoboard, lights, enhanced audio and infrastructure improvements.

"I consider myself extremely lucky to have been put in the path of Irv Zakheim," said CSUN head coach Eddie Cornejo. "He's become a mentor, a friend and our team loves him. He inspires numerous people on this campus because of his commitment to our program and university. He's a big reason we work so hard. We want to make him proud."

Zakheim's previous gift to CSUN Baseball in 2018 spearheaded the new entrance plaza to Matador Field in January of that year. The entrance plaza, located in the southwest corner of the facility, was the first in a series of upgrades to modernize and upgrade Matador Field.

The entrance plaza project features wrought iron fencing, custom signage, new landscaping and a ticket booth. The five-year old plaza affords fans a view of the playing field, allowing the community to gather on game day as they cheer on the Matadors. 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 college baseball, winning the 1970 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Currently Zakheim 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 for children. 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 its Baseball team. #GoMatadors

Gallery: (1-24-2024) Matador Field - Phase One

CSUN Alum Zakheim Hits a Home Run in Support of Baseball’s Champion Student-Athletes

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