University of Evansville Dedicates Freeland Clubhouse, Marking New Era for Baseball

Evansville, Ind. (11/13/2026) — Kyle Freeland once took the mound for the University of Evansville (UE) as a Purple Ace. Now, the former UE standout and Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher has helped shape the future of the program with a $3 million investment. The University officially dedicated the Freeland Clubhouse on Friday, Nov. 13, celebrating a new home for UE Baseball made possible by the generosity of both Kyle '15 and Ashley '15 Freeland. The clubhouse represents the largest philanthropic gift in UE Athletics history.

Announced in May 2024, The Freeland Clubhouse marked the launch of a pivotal project within the University's athletics strategic plan, Pathway to Excellence. The Freeland Clubhouse has direct access to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium and includes a locker room, offices for coaching staff, and the Brownlee Legacy Lounge Room, which was dedicated on Nov. 12, in honor of former UE Head Baseball Coach Jim Brownlee. With the addition of the Freeland Clubhouse, the Purple Aces baseball program has facilities that rival any in college baseball.

"The University of Evansville will always hold a special place in our hearts. For both Ashley and myself, being student-athletes here was about so much more than just competing. It was about the people we met, the lessons we learned and the pride that comes with being a Purple Ace. I'm incredibly proud of this university and the baseball program Coach Wes Carroll has built and continues to build," said Kyle Freeland. "His commitment to developing young men, both on and off the field, is exactly what makes this program special. Ashley and I wanted to give something back to a place that has meant so much to us, while helping create opportunities for future generations of Evansville baseball players. We hope this clubhouse becomes a place where teammates become family and lifelong memories are made. We're honored to be part of the program's future and excited to officially open the Freeland Clubhouse for UE baseball."

Freeland joined the UE program in 2011 and was a member of the team for three seasons. He made a total of 42 starts while posting an ERA of 3.56 while striking out 282 batters. In 2014, Freeland put together one of the most impressive seasons in the country going 10-2 with a 1.91 ERA. His efforts helped Evansville win the Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season title.

Following the 2014 campaign, Freeland was drafted eighth overall by the Colorado Rockies, making him the second-highest draft pick in UE baseball history. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2018. In the 2018 postseason, Kyle started the National League Wildcard game against the Chicago Cubs and became the first Rockies pitcher to have a scoreless postseason start.

With the addition of the Freeland Clubhouse, UE has the resources in place to attract top-tier recruits, foster a team-oriented environment, and regularly be near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. The University of Evansville extends its deepest gratitude to Kyle and Ashley Freeland for their historic generosity and creating a new exciting chapter for Purple Aces Baseball.