The Davis Athletic Complex is the result of Phase II of Albion’s campaign to improve its outdoor athletic facilities.
The complex includes Champions Stadium at Frank Joranko Field, home of the Britons baseball team, Alumni Field, the competition facility for the men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s lacrosse programs, Dempsey Field for softball, and a throwing area for the track & field athletes.
Along with the playing field, the baseball team enjoys amenities of a batting cage, bullpens to accommodate three pitchers and flagpoles to hang pennants commemorating the program’s 30 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships.
“It’s easy to say you have a rich tradition,” Head Coach Scott Carden said. “It’s easier to show it.”
In 1995, the baseball facility was formally named Frank Joranko Field, in honor of retiring baseball coach and Briton alum Frank Joranko, ’52. A three-sport standout (baseball, basketball and football), Joranko participated in an era which some refer to as a "golden age" for the College, both in athletics and academics. Some of Joranko's Albion teammates include former NCAA President Cedric Dempsey; former Cleveland, Ohio, city councilman Arnold Pinckney; retired Eastern Michigan University President Dr. John Porter; retired NYNEX CEO Bill Ferguson; and Dow Corning Chairman Emeritus John Ludington. Joranko is Albion's second Most Valuable Player selection for football in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and is one of two members of the Albion College Athletic Hall of Fame to be inducted twice, as an athlete and later, as an administrator and coach.
Albion College firsts at Champions Stadium at Frank Joranko Field
First Games: March 19, 2017 (Albion split a non-league doubleheader with Defiance College, losing game one, 8-6, but rallying for a 14-5 victory in the nightcap)
First Pitch: A called strike by Mitch Shedlowsky at 1:03 p.m.
First Albion Baserunner: Jack Wyman drew a walk in the first inning of game one
First Albion Hit: Ron Williams singled in the first inning of game one
First Albion Extra-Base Hit: Justin Green hit a triple in the fourth inning of game one
First Albion RBI: Joe Turnbull hit a single, scoring Justin Dennis in the fourth inning of game one
First Albion Winning Pitcher: Patrick O’Brien threw three scoreless innings in relief in game two
First Albion Complete Game: Andrew Fabry scattered three hits over nine shutout innings vs. Bluffton, March 20, 2018
First Albion Homerun: Jack Wyman in the first game of the April 9 doubleheader against Olivet College
