Forty years after earning his associate of arts degree from John A. Logan College, Carbondale native Mike Vanhorn said he is now in a position financially to give back to his alma mater.

The longtime supporter of Volunteer athletics paid a visit to the college Tuesday and wrote out a check for $10,000 to be applied for a special baseball project.

JALC Athletic Director and head baseball coach Jerry Halstead explained that the money Vanhorn was so generously donating would be used to help pay for the construction of a 162-foot-long, 3-foot-high brick wall at the baseball field to run from dugout to dugout.

The wall will replace the chain link fencing with netting added to the top of the brick wall, thereby increasing visibility from behind the backstop for fans attending the games.

Vanhorn’s contribution accounts for a little more than half the amount needed to complete the estimated $19,000 project. The remaining $9,000 will be paid through the JALC Foundation’s athletic fund.

Vanhorn said the decision to kick in the money was an easy one for him.

“Jerry was a former player of mine in American Legion baseball in Carbondale. I’ve known him since he was 14 years old,” Vanhorn said. “He later gave me the opportunity to serve him as a voluntary coach at Logan for two years, and then five years ago, let me host our first high school tournament here through Dimaond Sports Promotions, which caters to the needs of high school players wanting to play college ball. My business has grown tremendously since then and I decided I needed to do something big for Jerry and the baseball program for all the help he’s given me.”

Halstead said the contribution is much appreciated.

“We couldn’t do this (project) without Mike’s generous gift and we’re certainly very thankful for his interest in John A. Logan baseball,” Halstead said. “This allows us to do a couple of different things. It allows us to upgrade the corner as you turn onto campus (Greenbriar Road) from Route 13. The first thing you see is the baseball facility. There will be no more rusted chain link fence, which had been up for over 20 years.

“Second, for the fans watching games, there will be a much cleaner view of the game through the netting than through the fence. The wall will help make the facility nicer for our players and for the fans.”
Halstead said the athletic program needs more supporters like Vanhorn.

“Mike’s a baseball guy. He wanted the money to go to baseball. We need more guys like that.”

Hasltead said construction should begin soon. It is hoped that the wall project will be completed sometime this fall.