Lincoln, Neb. – The Sandhills Global Youth Complex has announced the hiring of its inaugural complex director, Joe Fagler, and a ten-year agreement with the University of Nebraska for a practice field for NU baseball and softball.
In his position, Fagler will oversee all complex operations including facility scheduling of local, regional and national tournaments, local youth programming and complex marketing. Fagler will begin his new role as complex director for the Sandhills Global Youth Complex on July 17.
“Joe was selected from an extensive pool of very qualified candidates. His lifelong love and engagement with baseball began with his involvement with the Babe Ruth Baseball League in 1992 here in Lincoln,” says Charlie Colon, Board Chair for the Sandhills Global Youth Complex.
“He graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University after being a four-year member of the NWU baseball team and has held numerous youth coaching positions throughout the city. We couldn’t be more excited to have Joe as our complex director,” Colon adds.
The Sandhills Global Youth Complex Board also announces that the University of Nebraska Athletic Department will utilize one of the fields at the complex as a practice facility for the Husker baseball and softball teams.
“Nebraska Athletics is pleased to partner with the Sandhills Global Youth Complex on an agreement to provide additional practice space for our Husker baseball and softball programs,” says Troy Dannen, Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln."
“Access to the turf fields at the complex will give our teams more flexibility and opportunities to practice outside. The complex will be a great addition to the City of Lincoln. We look forward to the completion of the project and the continued growth of youth sports in our community,” Dannen concludes.
Colon also gives a brief update on the Sandhill’s Global Youth Complex’s construction and anticipated opening, set for 2025.
“The lights are installed, the backstop poles are being erected, fencing is going in and later this summer, turf will be installed, and buildings will begin to take shape. It looks great. Our board and partners can’t wait until we’re able to say play ball next spring,” says Colon.
For more information and/or to arrange interviews, contact Chris Whitney, Communications Coordinator with Visit Lincoln, at (402) 436-2376 or cwhitney@lcoc.com.
About The Sandhills Global Youth Complex:
The non-profit Sandhill’s Global Youth Complex is a seven field all turfed complex that will host local, regional and national baseball and softball tournaments; home to Nebraska Wesleyan University’s baseball and softball teams; provide local youth baseball and softball instruction and programming; and be home to Homer’s Heroes a division of Lincoln Youth Baseball for boys and girls with physical or intellectual disabilities. The complex is made possible through a public/private effort that includes the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County, West Haymarket JPA, and a number of private sector funders. The complex is uniquely located near the Haymarket District, Lincoln’s hotel and entertainment epicenter.