Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex
The Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex was opened in dedicated in February, 2012. The new complex, which opened in March 2011, is named in honor of two former head baseball coaches, Herbert Wheeler and Larry Watkins.
Since 2011, the Hornets are 67-36 (.650) in the new on-campus home, 63-31 (.670) under head coach Mervyl Melendez.
Wheeler earned both his undergraduate (1937) and graduate (1967) degrees from ASU. He played several sports, and his athletic abilities earned him the nickname "Hot Dog."
Wheeler became head coach of the baseball team in the 1960s and led the Hornets until 1981, passing the torch to his former player and assistant coach Larry Watkins.
Watkins, a native of Thomasville, Ala., earned his undergraduate (1973) and graduate (1975) degrees from ASU. He played for Coach Wheeler as a student, and joined his coaching staff after graduating. As a player and coach, Watkins served the University for 40 years.
Watkins took over as head coach in 1982, a position he held for nearly 30 years. His teams earned more than 500 wins, making him the all-time leader in wins in ASU history.
The $3.9 million baseball complex was completed in the spring of 2011, and brought baseball back to ASU's campus for the first time since 1996.
