San Bernardino County Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. is committing $300,000 in County funding to support improvements to the baseball field at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC), helping provide student-athletes with an improved facility to compete, train and represent their college.
The County funding will go toward replacement of the baseball field turf and complement approximately $6 million in District and College funding included in the San Bernardino Community College District’s (SBCCD) Facilities Master Plan for improvements to the SBVC baseball field. In addition to replacing the turf, the plan calls for other needed facility improvements.
For Supervisor Baca, the investment has a personal connection. A graduate of San Bernardino Valley College and former Wolverine baseball player, Baca credits his time as a student-athlete with helping teach lessons in teamwork, discipline and perseverance that extend well beyond the baseball field.
“San Bernardino Valley College played an important role in my life, and I know firsthand what being part of this baseball program can mean to a young person,” said Supervisor Baca. “This $300,000 investment is about making sure today’s Wolverines have a field they can be proud to call home.”
SBCCD has prioritized moving the planned improvements forward during the 2026–27 academic year.
“We are grateful to Supervisor Baca and San Bernardino County for investing in our students and in the future of San Bernardino Valley College,” said Dr. Nathan D. Gonzales, Chair of the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees. “This partnership builds upon the District and College’s significant investment in the baseball field and will help us provide a facility that reflects the pride, talent and potential of our student-athletes.”
For the Wolverines baseball program, improvements to the field will provide current and future players with an enhanced environment in which to develop both as athletes and students.
“Our players put in countless hours practicing, competing and representing San Bernardino Valley College, and having a quality facility makes a difference,” said Coach J.P. Kounas, Head Baseball Coach at San Bernardino Valley College. “These improvements will give our student-athletes a field that matches the effort and pride they bring to this program every day. We appreciate Supervisor Baca and everyone who is investing in the future of SBVC Baseball.”
The investment is also meaningful to the student-athletes who use the field every day.
“When you put on a Valley College uniform, you’re representing your teammates, your school and the entire community,” said Deaven Mahoney, SBVC baseball player. “Knowing that our community leaders believe in us enough to invest in our field means a lot. These improvements will give current players and future Wolverines something we can all take pride in.”
College leadership emphasized that investments in athletics also support the broader mission of helping students succeed academically, personally and professionally.
“College athletics provides students with much more than an opportunity to compete,” said Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras, President at San Bernardino Valley College. “Our student-athletes develop leadership, accountability, teamwork and resilience while working toward their educational goals. Investing in the facilities that support them is an investment in their overall college experience and future success.”
Supervisor Baca’s connection to the college and baseball program makes the partnership especially meaningful. As an SBVC alumnus and former Wolverine baseball player, Supervisor Baca understands firsthand the role athletics can play in building teamwork, discipline, competition and a stronger connection to the college community.
The County’s $300,000 contribution will complement SBCCD’s planned investment as the baseball field improvements move forward.