Construction of the new Russ Derry Practice Facility is near completion, and the public is invited to attend an open house on March 15, 2024, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. A ribbon cutting with the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce will occur at 12:30 pm.  The Russ Derry Practice Facility is located on the North Central Missouri College campus across from the Ketcham Community Center on Lulu Street. Guests are to park at the Ketcham Center.  The public can tour the entire facility; individuals will be available to answer questions about Russ Derry and NCMC Athletic Programs. 

Construction of the new practice facility began in September 2023, and the building site was dedicated on October 4, 2023. The 120 x 84 indoor practice area was completed in late January 2024 in time for preparation for the baseball and softball spring seasons. The practice area includes a turfed practice field and four hitting/pitching tunnels. The 60 x 65 facility section features a Russ Derry Memorial Room, laundry/storage room, bathrooms, and locker rooms.

"NCMC Athletics is extremely grateful for the individuals that played a part in making the new Russ Derry Practice Facility a reality," commented NCMC Athletic Director Nate Gamet. "This facility is second to none in the state at the junior college level and would compare favorably against many four-year colleges.   This project will contribute to the success of our current players athletically and academically. It will also help us to recruit and retain high caliber student-athletes to be successful for years to come."

Russ Derry, a 1935 graduate of Princeton High School, had an 18-year professional baseball career across North America.  Russ had numerous honors and achievements throughout his career. One highlight was hitting two home runs, one a grand slam, for the Yankees on Opening Day 1945. Thus, becoming the first American League player to hit a grand slam on opening day. At the end of the game, Babe Ruth called him over to his box seat for congratulations and said, "Nice hittin', kid. That grand slam you hit was like the way ole' Babe used to hit 'em!" Russ played with the Philadelphia Athletics, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Rochester Red Wings. While playing for the Red Wings, Russ became a charter inductee for the Hall of Fame and a member of the All-Century Team.

Russ and his wife Elna were married for over 60 years and had one daughter, Judy, who graduated from Princeton High School. Russ passed away in 2004 and was posthumously inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in 2008; both Russ and Elna were inducted into the NCMC Athletic Hall of Fame that same year. 

Russ and Elna are also memorialized with the Russ & Elna Derry Scholarship through the NCMC Foundation to assist an NCMC baseball and softball player each year.  Kramer Contracting Company constructed the Russ Derry Practice Facility, and funding came from private donations.

For questions regarding the open house or the NCMC Foundation, please contact NCMC Foundation Executive Director Alicia Endicott at 660-357-6403 or aendicott@mail.ncmissouri.edu.  More information on NCMC Athletics can be found at www.ncmcpirates.com.