Marshall University Athletics
‘Alex Lawrence Field’ Unveiled At Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex
7/9/2026 10:00:00 AM | General
Naming of field represents second Herd facility honoring former Herd baseball player
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald J. Harrison announced on Thursday that the indoor turf field at the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex would be known in the future as 'Alex Lawrence Field.'
This naming opportunity comes after a charitable gift by his widow, Kim Lawrence, to the Big Green Scholarship Foundation which helped fund the installation of a new turf surface inside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex.
Kim Lawrence's gift to Marshall continues her efforts in honoring her late husband, Alex Lawrence, who played for Marshall Baseball from 1955-59 and earned All-Mid-American Conference honors.
"This gift to Marshall is made in loving memory of my husband, Alex, whose generosity and enduring spirit continue to inspire all who knew him," Kim Lawrence said. "It is my hope that this contribution to the university's athletic complex will create opportunities for student-athletes to grow, compete and lead with integrity. May Alex's legacy live on through their achievements and the lasting impact this gift will make for years to come."
One of the most heavily utilized training spaces within the Marshall Athletics' catalog of facilities, Alex Lawrence Field at The Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex will support year-round training for Marshall's 400-plus student-athletes, as well as serve as host for several events, including Marshall Track & Field home meets, Marshall Football's Pro Day and the annual Sweetheart Clinic – one of the premier events on the annual Marshall Athletics schedule.
It is also utilized as a primary training facility for many of Marshall's athletic programs with strength and conditioning utilizing the space to improve the wellness and performance of athletes in several programs, including but not limited to Marshall Football, Marshall Track & Field, Marshall Baseball, Marshall Softball and Marshall Men's and Women's Soccer programs.
"We are proud to honor the Lawrence family's legacy through the Alex Lawrence Field, and we know it will have a lasting impact on generations of Herd student-athletes," said Gerald J. Harrison, Marshall's Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Thanks to Kim's generosity, every day inside the Cline Indoor Athletic Complex will truly be a great day to Run With the Herd. The installation of our new state-of-the-art artificial turf field inside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex was the number one priority on our 'Taking Care of Our House' initiative. Providing our student-athletes with first-class facilities is essential to delivering the championship-level experience they deserve."
This is not the first time that Kim Lawrence has stepped up for Marshall Athletics to ensure a transformational gift that enhances the quality of experience and facilities for Herd student-athletes.
In 2023, a seven-figure gift from Lawrence helped secure funding to help with the Marshall Baseball stadium project, which resulted in the naming of the Alex Lawrence Clubhouse, which houses Marshall Baseball at Jack Cook Field and opened in March 2024.
"Kim Lawrence's investment in Marshall University Athletics and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation is absolutely incredible," said Teddy Kluemper III, Senior Associate Athletic Director For Championship Resources and Executive Director of the Big Green Scholarship Foundation. "She has made it her mission to memorialize her late husband, Alex, with transformational gifts for baseball (Alex Lawrence Clubhouse) and now the turf in the indoor, which will benefit all our student-athletes. Kim's impact is truly immeasurable and her confidence in what we are doing is very special."
Following that opening, Kim Lawrence ran into health issues that forced her to undergo extensive chemotherapy and treatment, which included surgery.
After going through radiation treatments, surgeries and chemotherapies, Kim Lawrence was able to return to her passion – philanthropy and honoring the legacy of her late husband.
As was her husband, Kim's focus returned to her dedication to Marshall University and gifts that could serve student-athletes for the next generation while honoring his memory.
After meeting with Kluemper in March during the Sun Belt Conference Basketball Tournament, planning began for the installation of new turf at the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex – a gift that impacts all Marshall Athletics programs who use the indoor facility on a daily basis.
"Because of her support, the new Alex Lawrence Field will provide our student-athletes with a premier surface to practice, train, and compete—one that reflects our commitment to providing a student-athlete experience that is second to none," Harrison said. "The Alex Lawrence Field is more than a new playing surface; it is an investment in the future of Marshall Athletics and a lasting testament to Kim's dedication to our student-athletes. Every training day is now an opportunity to prepare for success on a field worthy of those who proudly wear the Green and White. We are incredibly grateful to Kim Lawrence for her extraordinary generosity and unwavering commitment to Marshall Athletics."
About Alex Lawrence
Alex Lawrence passed away in 2017 at the age of 80 after a lifetime of leadership and service both nationally and within the state of West Virginia.
Alex Lawrence was dedicated to all things Marshall University. In addition to baseball, Lawrence was a senator in Student Government, a member of Sigma Phil Epsilon and Omicron Delta Kappa fraternities and also a member of ROTC, a service which he continued after college.
Upon graduation and completion of service, Lawrence worked in Industrial Development within the state of West Virginia while also serving as a broker in the coal industry.
He also was a franchisee with Taco Bell, having several restaurants in West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
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