North Canton, Ohio — Walsh University is proud to announce a leadership gift from Ben (’00) and Michelle (’98) Biery that will help upgrade Biery Family Baseball Stadium and Tim Mead Field, enhancing the facility for the next generations of Walsh University baseball players. The gift represents one of the largest in Walsh University Cavalier Athletics history and continues a family legacy of generosity, leadership and service to Walsh University and the greater Canton and Louisville communities.
The planned improvements will center on the installation of a top-of-the-line synthetic turf infield designed to provide elite performance and long-term durability. Additional upgrades will include updated backstop and netting, outfield netting, a new scoreboard, improvements to the batting cages, press box enhancements, dugout upgrades, seating improvements and other fan and player amenities.
“Walsh University has been an important part of our family for decades, and this project is about investing in the future of the program and the student-athletes who will wear the Cavalier uniform in the years ahead,” said Ben Biery, a Walsh alumnus, former All-American catcher on the Cavalier baseball team, and Walsh University Athletics Wall of Fame honoree. “We are honored to help strengthen a field that has meant so much to our family and to so many Walsh baseball players before us”.
Biery Stadium was originally made possible through the generosity and leadership of Ben’s parents Dennis and Judith Lynne Biery and numerous other benefactors. The family’s latest gift builds on that tradition of support. Ben, who has served on the Walsh University Board of Directors since 2019, and Michelle, a former Walsh Alumni Association Board member, remain active supporters of Walsh University and of civic and charitable organizations throughout the region.
“Walsh University has been shaped by families who believe in the power of education, athletics and community,” said Walsh University’s Vice President for Philanthropy Dr. Eric Constant. “The Biery family’s commitment reflects the very best of that tradition. These enhancements will provide our baseball scholar-athletes with a facility worthy of their dedication and future success”.
The Biery family’s connection to Walsh runs deep. Ben’s childhood memories include annual Walsh Ski Club trips to Mont Tremblant, where he first became acquainted with Walsh through Brother Roland Vigeant, and later he transferred to Walsh to play baseball for Coach Tim Mead. Ben and Michelle met through their Walsh connections, built their lives together in Louisville, Ohio, and have remained active in supporting Walsh and the broader community. Their family’s commitment to education, athletics and philanthropy has also extended to other regional institutions and local initiatives.
To help fully realize the vision for the stadium renovation, additional funding and sponsorship opportunities are available, including recognition and naming opportunities associated with the field for supporters and fans to help further advance these exciting plans for Walsh University baseball.
The groundbreaking is planned for late summer with a formal dedication ceremony expected in the fall. For more information about the project, naming opportunities or ways to support the initiative, please contact econstant@walsh.edu
