The ART

CSU Pueblo Athletics, with the support of Art and Lorraine Gonzales, Dan and Kerry DeRose and the Robert Hoag Rawlings Foundation, built a new 32,000-square foot (200' x 160') indoor training center named The ART after Art Gonzales. The new facility was completed in the Summer of 2021.

Located south of the Rawlings Baseball Field, The ART serves as the primary development space for Pack Baseball and Softball. Other CSU Pueblo student-athletes practice and use the facility during inclement weather. The Pack Baseball and Softball Academy uses this venue to instruct local youth in baseball and softball skill development.

The facility was designed by 101 Architecture (Greenwood Village, Co.) and constructed by Arc Valley Construction (Pueblo, Co.).

About Art Gonzales

In December of 2020, Colorado State University Board of Governors approved the naming request submitted by Colorado State University Pueblo President Timothy P. Mottet and Pack Athletics to name its new indoor training center "The ART", in honor of longtime donor, Arthur "Art" Henry Gonzales.

"During his lifetime, Art was an ardent advocate for our student-athletes," said Paul Plinske, director of athletics. "It was his primary goal for all student-athletes to have a top-notch collegiate experience while completing their degrees. This indoor venue will significantly impact our student-athletes and it is an honor to place Art's name on this building. We know he would be proud."

Art Gonzales was born June 15, 1930 and passed away on Jan. 29, 2020. His name is synonymous with the Pack Baseball program and CSU Pueblo Athletics. Thanks to Gonzales' support, the ThunderWolves became one of the winningest baseball programs in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) over the past 25 years.

Gonzales was not driven by just wins and losses on the baseball field. With a passion for education, Gonzales assisted hundreds of CSU Pueblo students and student-athletes, mostly Hispanic and/or first-generation students, in achieving their dreams of earning a college degree while playing the sport or activity they love.

Gonzales frequently spoke to CSU Pueblo student-athletes and encouraged their degree completion. "And when you show them that diploma, they'll know you had the guts to stick around," Gonzales frequently said.

Gonzales' first gift to CSU Pueblo was in 1994. He donated at least one gift every year, a streak of 26 consecutive years. His gifts impacted student-athlete scholarships, facility upgrades, operating support and special program needs for all 21 varsity sports at CSU Pueblo.

The CSU Pueblo soccer/lacrosse complex is named in honor of Art and Lorraine Gonzales. According to estimates, Gonzales' generosity financially impacted 10,000 student-athletes during his 26 years of support.

In addition to Athletics, Gonzales supported the International Student Organization, CSU Pueblo President's Gala, Pueblo Symphony, Veronica String Quartet, President's Discretionary Fund, Amici Fund and Academic Coordinators.

In 2006, Gonzales initiated and supported the annual "Pack the Park" community-service instructional clinic at Runyon Field. This free baseball and softball clinic for kids averaged approximately 700 local youth per year. Each child received instruction, a free t-shirt, dinner and a ticket to watch Pack Baseball. The ThunderWolves have set NCAA Division II single-game attendance records at the Pack the Park event. It is estimated that Gonzales' Pack the Park event impacted over 20,000 Pueblo community youth.

In addition to his contributions with the baseball program, Gonzales was a founding member of the Friends of Football. He helped resurrect the Pack Football program in 2008.

Gonzales was awarded the CSU Pueblo President's Medallion in 2006.

Pack Athletics enshrined Gonzales in its Hall of Fame as a Special Contributor in 2010. CSU Pueblo Athletics created the Art and Lorraine Perseverance Award, an annual honor for a male and female student-athlete who overcame personal challenges, while persevering to complete a degree.

Gonzales' final act of generosity was his significant contribution to the Rawlings Field renovation project. Phase one of the project is now completed and features major upgrades to the baseball and softball fields. Phase two is the indoor facility, which will bear Gonzales' name.