Messer Field Dedication Day RSVP
 
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Registration is open for all former members of the Slippery Rock University baseball program that will be attending the Messer Field dedication at Critchfield Park on April 25.
 
As announced during the fall semester, Slippery Rock University's council of trustees approved a naming resolution to honor SRU baseball head coach Jeff Messer during its quarterly business meeting.
 
The council approved to name the playing field at Jack Critchfield Park as "Messer Field" in recognition of pledged philanthropic support of the SRU baseball team by alumni and friends to honor Messer. The field and stadium collectively is now named "Messer Field at Jack Critchfield Park."
 
The official naming dedication will take place April 25 prior to Slippery Rock's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division doubleheader against Clarion.
 
All former members of the Slippery Rock baseball program are invited to come back and celebrate the official naming dedication of the field as well as attend a program alumni gathering at the Alumni Pavilion prior to the start of game one.
 
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by April 17 HERE or by navigating to the registration link at the top of the page. Lunch will be provided to all registered guests. All questions should be directed to SRU development officer Stephen Urda (724.738.4903 / stephen.urda@sru.edu)
 
Messer Field at Critchfield Park Dedication Timeline
Saturday, April 25, 2026: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
12:30 p.m.: Dedication (on the field)
1 – 3 p.m.: Alumni gather (Alumni Pavilion)
3 p.m.: SRU vs. Clarion (Game 1)
5:30 p.m. (or 25 minutes after finish of game 1): SRU vs. Clarion (Game 2)
 
Alumni from the baseball team have embarked on a $100,000 fundraising campaign in support of the Messer Field Naming project that will support the program and its student athletes.
 
One of the most decorated coaches in Division II history, Messer has compiled a 1,172-774-5 overall record during his accomplished career at The Rock.
 
A 2023 American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, Messer currently ranks eighth in Division II history for wins in a career as well as being the third winningest active coach in DII. 
 
Messer, already the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's all-time winningest coach, is a seven-time PSAC Coach of the Year who has led SRU to 30 conference tournament berths, the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions and four College World Series appearances.
 
Under his guidance, 13 Slippery Rock student-athletes have been selected in the MLB draft with dozens of others also signing professional contracts in various independent leagues across the nation.
 
Jack Critchfield Park is named in honor of Dr. Jack Critchfield, a 1955 Rock graduate and former Rock baseball pitcher. Dr. Critchfield and his wife, Mary, in appreciation for the opportunity he received to attend college, made a $500,000 donation to SRU in May 2000.
 
Grand opening ceremonies for "The Jack" were held on April 20, 2002. The event attracted 1,256 fans, which at the time was the second largest crowd to attend an NCAA Division II regular-season baseball game.
 
Jack Critchfield Park underwent a major renovation in the spring of 2020 to become one of the finest on-campus baseball facilities in the country with the addition of an artificial playing surface that now bears Messer's name.
 
Slippery Rock has gone 80-45 (.640) at Critchfield Park since its renovation.





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