LCU Softball Facility Re-Named to Maner Park

The Lubbock Christian University softball facility has undergone several upgrades and enhancements over the past six seasons, and the LCU Athletic Department is announcing that the facility will change names to honor supporters Otis and Faye Maner. Before Friday’s 2 p.m. first pitch of the Lady Chaparrals Lone Star Conference doubleheader against St. Mary’s, a renaming dedication took place to officially recognize LCU’s softball facility as Maner Park.

“The Maner family has been instrumental in the growth of LCU, through the generations, and they cannot be thanked enough,” said LCU Director of Athletics Scott Larson. “It is a tremendous honor and privilege to have the LCU softball facility named in their honor.”

Otis and Faye Maner (pronounced may-nr) were faithful supporters of Lubbock Christian College from the beginning of 1957. They enjoyed witnessing student success and they attended countless ball games on this campus.  Otis and Faye’s legacy at LCU has lived on through five generations of service (to His Kingdom) and a love for young people growing their faith at LCU.

Maner Park was built for the program’s inaugural and historic 2008 national title-winning season. The first upgrades to the facility were made in 2016 with the addition of lights, along with bullpen and regulation standards to fit LCU’s transition from NAIA to NCAA. Synthetic turf was added for the 2020 season, in addition to upgrades to the foul poles and dugouts to comply with updates to NCAA policies. Additional enhancements to the facility were made prior to last season, with the installment of a videoboard/scoreboard.

Friday, the Lady Chaparrals will not play their first home game since Mar. 27 with a new complex name, but with a new outfield padded wall, which was installed during their eight-game road trip. Prior to the game, Chad Bartee, grandson of the Maners, will throw the commemorative first pitch.  Bartee, who also serves as the Co-Owner/Founder of game sponsor Osteogenic Biomedical, Inc., has made valuable contributions to the LCU softball program and has continued the Maner legacy of investment into LCU.

“Speaking on behalf of all family members, this is a thrilling moment,” said Bartee. “Not only is it an honor to recognize Otis and Faye, but this is something to benefit the kids (student-athletes). Helping make a program better, whether it’s through facilities or faith, is what Otis and Faye would have wanted.”

LCU has played 325 home games since its inception in 2008, has posted 284 wins (284-41), and has an 87.4% win percentage at home. This season, LCU is 11-4 at home and they close out the regular season with a six-game homestand. They could potentially host postseason play for the first time in their NCAA history, as they enter the weekend with a No.14 national ranking and debuting at No.2 in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Rankings. The Lady Chaps are 33-7 overall and 19-5 in Lone Star Conference play.