MAYS LANDING — We built it and now it’s time to play ball!
Atlantic Cape Community College held its official Welcome Home Buccaneers Baseball opening ceremony for its new, state–of–the–art $1.48 million baseball field on the Mays Landing campus on April 18 before College employees, members of the Board of Trustees, county commissioners, alumni and numerous guests from throughout the community.
The ceremony took place prior to the Buccaneers first game of a doubleheader against visiting Northampton Community College. Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba thanked those who played an important role in raising funds and championing support for this extraordinary endeavor.
“This is a long-awaited moment as we bring Buccaneers baseball home to our Mays Landing campus. This $1.48 million project, which was funded through the State of New Jersey and Atlantic County Chapter 12 funds, would not have been possible without the leadership of our county commissioners and Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson. Thank you for your continued commitment to our College and our students,” said Gaba. “A project of this magnitude required the dedication of many individuals and we are deeply grateful to all who helped bring this vision together.”
In her remarks, Dr. Gaba acknowledged the Atlantic Cape Foundation’s fundraising efforts, and Bring it Home campaign co-chairs Stephen Nehmad and Thomas Heist, who started the campaign in 2019 and raised $192,000 for the field and digital scoreboard. Construction officially began in early 2024 and a formal groundbreaking ceremony was held shortly thereafter on February 15.
With the addition of this baseball field to the campus’ athletics infrastructure, the College has reaffirmed its commitment to student-athletes and to the role that athletics plays in guiding them towards achieving success. The field will allow Buccaneers student–athletes to practice, compete and grow together during their time at Atlantic Cape.
Atlantic County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Risley recognized the hard work and dedication that was required to bring a project of this magnitude from planning to playing.
“This is a project that the board was very happy to endorse and push through. It was so needed in Atlantic County. I have had the privilege of knowing many of the people and businesses who donated their time and the necessary funds to make this happen,” said Risley, who thanked the late Phillip S. Masters for providing the financial support for the digital scoreboard in center field.
Also recognized as official Buccaneers Baseball Supporters were Benderson Development, Katherine Birkenstock, Alan Blake, Hamilton Greene/The Glades, Alan Kligerman, Icona Management, McAlister Family and Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Students and Friends.
Nehmad — who was joined on the pitcher’s mound by Atlantic County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Andrew Parker, Trustee Monica Kyle, Athletic Director Jamal Edwards, OF/P Terrence Venable, Risley and Gaba — threw out the ceremonial first pitch to catcher Jeanpaul Matos.
Nehmad and his wife, Dianne, were presented with a commemorative home plate adorned with the Welcome Home Buccaneers Baseball logo and signed notes of gratitude and thanks from this year’s Buccaneers baseball team student–athletes.
The Academy of Culinary Arts provided free hot dogs for those in attendance while Smokeology BBQ from Cape May Court House sold delicious barbecue platters and more.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/baseball for more information on Atlantic Cape’s Baseball Program.
View a photo gallery of this event on Flickr here.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 52 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with several four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to leave home.
