(October 24, 2005) ?C The Atlantic 10 Conference announced late last week that Fordham University will be the host team at the 2006 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship Tournament, May 24th through May 27th, at Houlihan Park. The Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship will feature six teams in a double-elimination tournament with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. ??We are delighted that our baseball championship will be held at Fordham. The renovation of their baseball field puts Fordham right at the top among facilities in the Atlantic 10,?? said Atlantic 10 Commissioner Linda Bruno. Jack Coffey Field went under a $4.3 million renovation, which includes a new drainage system, a new FieldTurf surface, a new scoreboard and sound system, and lights for the baseball, soccer, and football fields. In addition, new bullpens, recessed dugouts, a 500-seat grandstand, a press box and a renovated entrance were also a part of the new look of the complex. The baseball field was then renamed Houlihan Park at Jack Coffey Field, after Jim Houlihan (CBA ??74) and his family pledged $1 million to Fordham University??s baseball program, which will support Fordham baseball in its efforts to establish and sustain a national recruiting program, provide additional resources for team travel and supplement equipment purchases that exceed the annual budget. ??This is a great honor for Fordham, and is a fantastic opportunity to be able to host this year??s Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship,?? said Charlie Elwood, Director of Athletic Administration at Fordham. ??To be the first school selected in 20 years to host the event, it is very special and we look forward to the challenge.?? Fordham is the first school to host the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship in its entirety since Rutgers University did so back in 1986. Since 1986, the tournament has been held at a variety of Major and Minor League Ballparks, including last year??s tournament at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, OH. ??Our coaches have wanted to move our championship back to campus for quite some time and we are sure that Fordham will ensure that the experience will be a memorable one for our student-athletes,?? said Bruno. This will be the third Atlantic 10 Championship hosted by Fordham, as the University hosted the 1996 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championships, as well as the 2005 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship. Last season, the Fordham baseball team finished 34-21, with a school-record 17 conference wins, and made it to its second consecutive appearance in the Atlantic 10 championship tournament. The team also garnered individual honors, including the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Cory Riordan, and the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, Nick Restaino. ??I think this is a great reward for the program after a fine season last year, and our players are very excited to have the chance to play in front of the home crowd when the tournament comes in May,?? said Head Coach Nick Restaino. Established in 1860, the Fordham baseball program is the oldest active continually running intercollegiate baseball program in the nation.