Central OC Times

The University of California, Irvine has announced a significant development in its baseball program following a $5 million donation from alumnus Steve Borowski and his wife, Linda. This contribution, the largest ever received by UC Irvine Athletics, will fund the creation of the Borowski Family Player Development Center.

Paula Smith, director of athletics at UC Irvine, expressed gratitude for the donation. “We are incredibly grateful for this transformative gift, which will have a lasting impact on the future of our baseball program,” she said. She highlighted that this support reflects the Borowskis' commitment to providing student-athletes with essential resources and opportunities.

UC Irvine's baseball team has a notable history with achievements including two Division II National Championships and several NCAA Division I postseason appearances. Under current head coach Ben Orloff, who is also a UC Irvine Hall of Famer, the team has continued to excel with multiple regional appearances and major league draft picks.

Orloff acknowledged the Borowskis' ongoing support for the program. “Steve Borowski and his support of UC Irvine baseball has already played such an integral role in the program reaching its current level of success," he stated. "This latest contribution by Steve and Linda Borowski will change everything for the future of UC Irvine baseball."

Steve Borowski's connection to UC Irvine dates back to his time as a pitcher for the Anteaters from 1976 to 1979. He has been actively involved with the university since then, serving as a trustee since 2002 when the baseball program was reinstated after a hiatus.

Borowski reflected on his long-standing involvement with UC Irvine baseball: “I’ve been involved with UC Irvine baseball for nearly 50 years. What makes you return are the people – the coaches, staff and student-athletes.”

The new player development center will be located at Anteater Ballpark and is expected to significantly enhance training facilities for student-athletes. The donation also brings UC Irvine closer to achieving its $20 million fundraising goal as part of its Brilliant Future campaign.

The campaign aims to raise awareness and financial support for various initiatives at UC Irvine by engaging alumni and securing philanthropic investments.

For more information about UC Irvine or its athletic programs, interested parties can visit their official website or access additional media resources online.