TEANECK, N.J. - FDU Athletics is proud to announce a $1.3 million renovation of the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex, which has served as home of the Knights for over a decade. Following FDU's winningest season in 2023, this renovation sets the stage for continued success, providing state-of-the-art facilities for current and future baseball student-athletes.

"We're thrilled to unveil the beautiful renovations to the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex." said Bradford Hurlbut, Senior Associate VP/Director of Athletics. "These upgrades represent an investment in our student-athletes and further our commitment to modernizing all of our facilities at FDU. Additionally, we look forward to welcoming the local community in using the field and, in turn, bring more people to our beautiful campus."

Thanks to the generous contributions of FDU alumni Vincent Naimoli (MBA '64), the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex was originally built in 2011. Naimoli, the first owner and founder of the Tampa Bay Rays, donated $1 million for the complex's construction.

Nearly 13 years later, the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex has been transformed by numerous upgrades which include:

Enhanced Bullpens - Two new bullpens, located down the right and left field lines, have been constructed. The visitors will use a double-barrel pen down the left field line, while the Knights will train, warm-up, and throw in a fully-stocked triple-barrel bullpen. This area is now the same artificial turf as used in the field of play.

Expanded Batting Cage - Situated behind the elevated FDU bullpen, is an expanded training area with a freshly installed batting cage. This area was also completely converted to artificial turf.

Brand New Artificial Turf Playing Surface - A brand-new expanded artificial turf playing surface has been installed, provided by Shaw Sports Turf, offering superior durability and playability in nearly all-weather conditions. The color of the infield and warning track previously was Terra Cotta and will now be Brown. The outfield has an alternating stripe using the colors of Field Green and Field Lime.

FDU Branding - In July of 2023, FDU unveiled a new visual identity. The Knights' fresh look is incorporated into the renovations, highlighted by the FDU primary logo being stitched across centerfield.

Digital Scoreboard - One of the most "eye-catching" new features of the complex is a new Daktronics scoreboard that will help fans remain fully engaged in the game.

Modernized Backstop - The backstop has been brought up-to-standard with the removal of the "turtle shell" and an installation of a padded fence and new netting under the shadows of Route 4. The backstop now resembles most backstops of modernized collegiate ballparks.

The baseball complex design was done by Athletic Fields of America, a leader in the installation of synthetic turf based in Montville, N.J.

In addition to the baseball renovations, FDU is engaging Athletic Fields of America on preliminary plans to renovate the FDU Softball Field with synthetic turf as well. The softball facility has undergone over $100,000 in improvements over the past several years, but the addition of artificial turf combined with the lighted stadium will allow for expanded use for the Knights and the surrounding community.

Beyond the Naimoli Family Baseball Complex, FDU Athletics has embarked upon roughly $2.2 million worth of facility enhancements over the last 12 months.

The FDU Knights will play their first game at the new look Naimoli Family Baseball Complex on Wednesday, March 13 against Iona. 

About FDU Athletics

FDU is home to 21 NCAA Division I teams. A member of the Northeast Conference, the Knights have had tremendous success in the classroom, in athletic competition as well as giving back to the Bergen County community. FDU became the first school in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to win championships in women's volleyball, women's soccer, and men's soccer in the same season (2022). In 2023, the Burgundy and Blue also became the first NEC school to win two games as a 16-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, including an upset over top-seeded Purdue. As a result of its incredible 2022-23 season, FDU placed 92nd in the Learfield Director's Cup, the first NEC program to finish in the Top 100. Since 2019, FDU has won 13 conference titles across men's soccer, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's indoor track & field, women's bowling, women's golf, and women's volleyball. FDU student-athletes were also recognized for their efforts in the community by winning the NEC Building Communities Award with over 3,000 community service hours. Other recent milestones include men's basketball winning the 2019 NEC championship and going on to win the first NCAA tournament game in school history. In addition to recent championships, FDU holds five national championships, three in sport of women's fencing and two in women's bowling.