BOLIVAR, Mo. — Southwest Baptist University honored David and Betty Cribbs of Bolivar
and their family with the official dedication and naming of the David and Betty Cribbs
Athletic Practice Facility Thursday, May 5.
“David and Betty are truly two of the best friends our university has ever had,” said
Dr. C. Pat Taylor, SBU president. “Due to their generosity, we were able to purchase
the building and do some renovations. What a blessing it has already been for us and
will continue to be.”
Since the building was initially acquired in May 2015, SBU’s physical plant crews
have started using about one-third of the building for storage and have completed
renovations to make the facility useful for student-athletes in multiple sports. The
building has already been put to use with a majority of the University’s 18 athletics
teams expected to utilize the facility.
“It really means a lot from our perspective to know there are people out there being
generous to provide facilities for our athletic program,” said Andy Campbell, a freshman
basketball player from Russellville, Ark. “It’s not just for one sport but for all
of athletics in general.”
Head softball coach Jim Flora said his team has demonstrated the difference the facility
can make. Starting the season picked to finish 11th out of 14 teams in the MIAA conference,
the team finished eighth in the regular season and fourth in the conference tournament.
“This was the best season in the history of SBU softball in the MIAA conference, and
there is no doubt in my mind that this facility played a huge role in that,” Coach
Flora said. “It’s hard to realize, with something like this, what a difference it
can make. One thing we were vitally lacking was a consistent place to practice indoors
when we start practice, which this year was Jan. 12 for softball. We can use the IM
(intramural) gym, and the IM gym is great, but there’s just a lot of people in there
and it’s hard to get time in there.”
Softball player Kacey Ayers, a junior from Lamar, Mo., reinforced the impact the new
facility already has had on the team.
“Practicing at the IM gym was really hard to work around,” Ayers said. “Now we feel
like we have a place and now we belong. We’re a part of the conference, and we can
stand with anybody because we can practice and we can work hard here. To the Cribbs
family, thank you for investing in us and believing in us.”
Megan Link, head women’s soccer coach, played soccer while a student at SBU, so she
knows firsthand the difference the facility will make for SBU’s student-athletes.
“I know what it was like, especially during the winter, when we were trying to get
in our practices during the off-season,” she said. “Now this building provides us
with a whole new space during the off-season and also during the season if we have
bad weather and need a space to train. This resource is going to open up a whole new
level for our athletics.”
Flora said the facility also is helpful in recruiting talented athletes to SBU.
“This puts us on a more equal playing field with the other teams in the MIAA,” he
said. “Before, our recruits had a hard time envisioning what it would look like practicing
in the IM gym. Now, when I bring them over here, this is more in line with what other
schools are doing. They can envision themselves being in here and being a Bearcat.”
David Cribbs said his family has always been involved in athletics and is thankful
to be able to support SBU and its student-athletes through this facility.
“We wish all of you a great year and success in life,” he said, speaking to the many
student-athletes in attendance. “Stay true to the Lord, and He will guide you in every
step of the way.”