Alumni and friends have made gifts and pledges totaling nearly $290,000 to establish a fund honoring retired Guilford baseball coach Stuart T. Maynard.

The gifts will support a planned batting center for McBane Field on campus, which is the home field for the baseball team. Maynard, now 91, coached the baseball team from 1952 to 1984 and holds the record for most baseball coaching wins at the college. He also coached football for five seasons beginning in 1951.

“The man so many of us refer to as ‘The Rock’ was a teacher, coach, mentor and friend for generations of Guilford students,” said Randy Doss, Guilford vice president of enrollment, who played baseball for Maynard as a college student. “This fund means that his legacy will continue to impact Guilford student-athletes in the years to come.”

Gifts and pledges received to date were announced last Saturday during Guilford’s homecoming and family weekend. Maynard was present for the announcement, along with Herb Appenzeller, former Guilford athletics director and coach.

The college previously has honored Maynard by presenting him with its Alumni Excellence Award and also by installing a commemorative rock earlier this year between McBane Field and the Armfield Athletic Center.