*UNDER CONSTRUCTION*
Major League Baseball Pitcher and Neosho County Community College (NCCC) alumnus Matt Strahm has pledged a donation to renovate the college’s wellness center on the Chanute Campus. The project, which will be renamed the Strahm Family Strength Center, will provide upgraded equipment and improved training facilities for student-athletes and the broader campus community. The building will be nicknamed “The Spot.”
Strahm, a 2012 graduate of NCCC and a current pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, credits NCCC for playing a pivotal role in his baseball journey. The project was sparked by a conversation with NCCC Head Baseball Coach Steve Murry about how the wellness center was “the spot” where Strahm felt he became a professional player, hence the facility’s new nickname. “NCCC was the place that gave me my shot, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the opportunities I had here,” said Strahm. “Fitness and training are crucial for any athlete, and I want to make sure future Panthers have access to the best facilities possible.”
A native of West Fargo, N.D., Strahm played for the Panthers during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, earning All-KJCCC honors both seasons and NJCAA All-American recognition while helping lead NCCC to the 2012 NJCAA World Series. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft and made his MLB debut on July 31, 2016. After five seasons with the Royals, he went on to pitch for the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox before signing with the Phillies in 2023. Strahm was named an MLB All-Star in 2024.
The renovation will provide state-of-the-art cardio and weightlifting equipment, updated interior flooring and walls, and exterior improvements to the facility. The wellness center, which is located just north of Panther Gymnasium, currently plays a key role for student-athletes, faculty, and staff. This project seeks to greatly increase that role.
