Millersville, Pa. – Thanks to generous gifts made by Bennett J. Cooper '67, Millersville University's baseball facility, now known as Marauder Park, will be receiving a name change to honor the alum.

During a special dedication ceremony set for Saturday, April 20, the facility's name will officially be changed to Bennett J. Cooper Park and referred to as Cooper Park. Cooper played baseball and football at Millersville from 1964-67 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in history. Cooper has had a very distinguished career since graduating from Millersville and is currently the senior distribution consultant and in-house counsel for Branca-Rampart Financial Services, Inc.  He is a long-time supporter of the University, serving as the vice-chair of the Soar to Greatness Capital Campaign, exhibiting commitment to the Honors college and student mentoring programs as well as supporting baseball scholarships.

“This is an excellent recognition of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper's involvement and commitment to the recently completed $86 million Soar to Greatness Capital Campaign from 2006-2012 in which Health and Wellness was one of its objectives.  Mr. Cooper gave his commitment of time, talents and resources to this University, and it is fitting that we dedicate this park for a man who played baseball at Millersville University and who loves this sport,” said Dr. John Anderson, president of Millersville University. 

"The gift provided to our program from Mr. and Mrs. Cooper was an act of tremendous kindness and philanthropy that will leave an everlasting impact on Millersville University and its baseball program,” said Millersville baseball head coach Jon Shehan '06/'12M. “Our program has a storied past, rich in tradition. Bennett Cooper's generosity will help to ensure that the tradition of success is continued well into the future.

“Recruiting intelligent, talented prospects is the key to running a successful athletic program and this gift will momentously further our ability to do so,” said Shehan. “Mr. Cooper is a fantastic example of the type of person that Millersville University is capable of producing. He is incredibly successful and more importantly, as an alumnus, a role model for our current and future students. I speak for Marauder Baseball, its coaches and former coaches, alumni, players, and supporters when I say that we are very proud to have his name on our beautiful ballpark."

The ballpark was original constructed in 2007 and includes a press box, a grandstand with 250 seats, a clubhouse and batting cages. The park served as home to the 2008 and 2011 PSAC Eastern Division Championship teams.