The College Baseball Foundation has partnered with the global design firm Populous to design the permanent location of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in Overland Park, Kansas (US).
‘POPULOUS’ stated that the partnership teams the College Baseball Hall of Fame with one of the most renowned global design firms to construct a dynamic showcase of college baseball within a community they both call home. In addition, the Kansas City Metro area is also the location for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The addition of the College Baseball Hall of Fame will further embed the deeply rooted connection between Kansas City and America’s favorite pastime.
The College Baseball Foundation was formed in 2004 in Lubbock, Texas (US) as a nonprofit organization with the dual aims of awarding the Brooks Wallace Award and creating the National College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The College Baseball Foundation’s purpose is to preserve, elevate and advance the game to inspire the next generation, to teach those who love college baseball about its rich history and traditions, to celebrate those who make college baseball special, and to honor those who have come before them and built the foundation upon which college baseball thrives today.
The Brooks Wallace Award is an award given by the College Baseball Foundation to the best college baseball shortstop of the year. The award has been given annually since 2004.
The National College Baseball Hall of Fame is an institution operated by the College Baseball Foundation serving as the central point for the study of the history of college baseball in the United States.
Each year, more than 190 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body comprises the national and regional college baseball media, the active and retired coaches, the former players, the former inductees, the college baseball historians, and the members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 165 players, coaches, umpires, administrators, and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.
Populous is a global architectural and design practice with regional headquarters in Kansas City (US), London (UK) and Brisbane (Australia) specializing in sports facilities, arenas and convention centers as well as in the planning and design of major special events.
Populous began with a singular focus – to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses and amplify the pure emotion shared in human moments. Over the last 40 years, the firm has designed more than 3,500 projects worth over $60 billion across emerging and established markets. Populous’ comprehensive services include architecture, interior design, event planning and overlay, branded environments, wayfinding, and graphics, planning and urban design, landscape architecture, aviation and transport design, hospitality, and sustainable design consulting.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a privately-funded museum in Kansas City, Missouri (US) dedicated to preserving the history of Negro league baseball in America.
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues consisting teams of African-Americans.
‘POPULOUS’ quoted Tom Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director, College Baseball Foundation, as stating, “After a comprehensive proposal process that attracted interest from the multiple world-class design firms we determined that Populous was an ideal partner to assist us on the design and buildout of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Not only is Populous based in Kansas City, but they are widely regarded as the number one design firm in the world dedicated to the sports and entertainment venues. Populous has a depth and breadth of experience in the collegiate space demonstrated by their more than 300 college projects, including 60 collegiate ballparks. We are excited to tap into this expertise to create a fantastic venue that will tell the story of college baseball, past, present and future, and that will serve as the home for our 160+ Hall of Fame Inductees.”
The request for proposal (RFP) process was initiated in April. After the requests were received, the proposals were reviewed and the interviews were conducted with the finalists. Populous was then selected to design the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
A request for proposal (RFP) is a form of reverse auction that solicits a business proposal by an organization interested in the procurement of a service or product from potential suppliers. It is usually part of a complex sales process and made through a bidding process.
Remarked Brian Mirakian, Senior Principal, Populous, “This moment in time is incredible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame – one that celebrates the amazing legacy of the great players, the coaches, the philanthropists, and the personalities who’ve helped define the game. Not only is this monumental for the City of Overland Park and the region, but it also further solidifies Kansas City as an internationally renowned baseball destination. For Populous to be part of that storyline is an immense honor for our team.”
Last January, the College Baseball Foundation and the Visit Overland Park announced that the College Baseball Hall of Fame will be located within the iconic Museum at Prairiefire (shopping mall in Kansas). Following an extensive search to find the permanent home for the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the Overland Park and the Museum at Prairiefire emerged as the ideal partners for the College Baseball Foundation through its purposeful vision and united support from the community. The Visit Overland Park estimates that the College Baseball Hall of Fame will have a multimillion dollar impact on the local economy when its doors open in 2025.
The Visit Overland Park in the US State of Kansas is home to the best youth sports venues in the Midwest, great food, robust shopping, lush botanical gardens and an impressive collection of festivals, live music, and theater.
Commented Kelly Holton, Senior Principal, Populous, “At Populous, we understand how powerful, engaging experiences can inspire the passionate fans and the future generations. Showcasing the rich and illustrious history of college baseball through innovative and experiential design will help tell the story of so many players who made the game what it is today.”
Concluded Jason Michael Ford, Principal, Populous, “The sport of baseball holds a special place in the history of Populous, so we’re honored to work with the College Baseball Foundation to design a space and experience that reflects baseball’s finest. This new Hall of Fame will preserve the legacy of the collegiate game and create a place that not only reflects its traditions but also tells the stories of all those enshrined.”
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