March 7, Lamar University (LU) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Teri and Glen Morgan Baseball Complex, a new state-of-the-art building at Vincent-Beck Stadium approved in late 2024 by the Texas State University System Board of Regents. The comprehensive upgrade, made possible through an “elite” gift from the Morgans, is set to debut in 2026.
“Both Teri and I are excited to be a part of this project,” Glen Morgan said at the groundbreaking ceremony, adding that LU is firmly integrated into the Morgans’ lives, and that of their children and grandchildren. “Lamar has always been important to us. Both Teri and I graduated from Lamar. Our children were able to attend Lamar during high school to give them a head start on college. My grandchildren come to the camps that are held here during the summer.”
From the couple’s beginning, Lamar University has been an integral part of the pair’s union. Sentiment keeps the college close to the Morgans’ hearts.
“We’re approaching our 40th anniversary and, over the years, we’ve always wanted to do something to signify that we met here, and this is where everything started,” Glen Morgan shared on behalf of the couple. “With the anniversary approaching, it seemed like the right time to get something done.”
Lamar dignitaries, administrators, coaches, student-athletes and fans were on hand for the ceremony, all excited to see progress on the 8,500-square foot building that will consist of a new locker room, coaches’ offices, training room, film room, lounge and equipment room. Entering the building through the lobby will also be a Hall of Fame, celebrating the Cardinals’ history in baseball.
“This is going to give our student-athletes and coaches a home,” said LU Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O’Malley. “When you walk in the facilities they have now, you really do wonder how they were able to recruit such great student-athletes here. People always say that we have the best facilities in the Southland Conference so it’s important for us to re-invest in our facilities so we can continue to have that moniker attached to us. This goes a long way toward doing that. We can’t thank Teri and Glen Morgan enough for their generosity and helping make this dream become a reality today.”
O’Malley said that, when he arrived at LU in 2022, the first thing he did was to take a close look at every athletic facility.
“To say ‘I was shocked when I walked into the baseball offices in the baseball locker room’ would be an understatement,” he said. “I wondered how a program with such a proud tradition could successfully operate in that.”
The athletic director went on to acknowledge that the baseball program had a lot of success over the years: winning 1,770 games (many under legendary coach Jim Gilligan), 99 baseball players enter the Major League Draft, 34 31-win seasons, nine 41-win seasons and one 51-win season.
“Teri and Glen, your dedication to the Lamar University Athletic Department is unmatched,” O’Malley summed up. “We cannot thank you enough for helping us achieve this goal today of giving our coaches and student athletes a first-class facility that they can all call home.”
Vice President Juan J. Zabala, who serves as liaison to LU stakeholders as one of his many functions, said the Morgans’ gift will serve students of the institution for years to come.
“This is a transformational moment for our university and for our baseball program,” Zabala said.
“What makes this occasion extra special is the history behind the spot of the where the complex will be built is the very spot that Glen and Teri met,” LU President Dr. Jaime Taylor shared. “It’s wonderful we’re building this complex where their journey began.”
Taylor said the university is committed to strengthening the entire athletic program and is encouraged by community and alumni support of realizing that goal.
“We want to make sure our coaches and our student-athletes have the facility they need to excel at a high level. Our goal for Lamar University is to compete for championships,” Taylor added.
Easton Culp, a junior catcher for the LU Cardinals’ baseball team, said he and his team are thankful for the new facility.
“The Teri and Glen Morgan Complex isn’t just a building, it’s going to be a game changer,” Culp shared. “It’s going to give us a tool of an environment we need to work harder, push each other and, hopefully, to bring more rings and trophies, jokes and countless memories from my teammates and future Lamar baseball players.”
Head baseball coach Will Davis, hired in January 2016, replaced legendary Coach Jim Gilligan at the end of the 2016 season. At the new athletic complex groundbreaking, Davis quoted Proverbs 11:25 from the New King James Version Bible, which states: “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
Drawing on the Biblical text for reference, Davis equated the Morgans with fulfillment of a life well-lived in giving from a cup that overflows.
“I can’t think of a better example myself of someone my age and for our student-athletes than the Morgans,” Davis said.
The Teri and Glen Morgan Baseball Complex is expected to be completed for the 2026 season.