Cal Poly Athletics Launches “Project Omaha,” a Players Edge Campaign to Elevate Mustang Baseball
2/13/2026 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly Athletics announced today the launch of Project Omaha, a bold new fundraising initiative powered by the department’s Players Edge program and dedicated exclusively to advancing the Cal Poly Baseball program. The campaign seeks to raise $5 million over the next five years to support baseball scholarships and additional student-athlete compensation, ensuring the program has the resources necessary to compete at the highest level of collegiate baseball. $2.5 million of the $5 million goal has already been secured.
Project Omaha responds directly to the changing landscape of college athletics, including the NCAA’s recent increase in the baseball scholarship limit to 34 full scholarships. Funds raised through the campaign will be directed toward scholarship support and other direct student-athlete competition needs, enabling Cal Poly Baseball to attract and retain elite talent while maintaining its commitment to academic excellence.
As part of the initiative, a matching fund specific to Project Omaha has been established, providing permanent investment into the program’s operational budget and further strengthening Cal Poly Baseball’s competitive foundation.
Recently, Cal Poly Baseball has made significant investments into facility and technology upgrades around the program. The Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse is regarded as one of the best college baseball facilities to go along with one of the best stadiums in college baseball that recently added a brand new videoboard. This past season, the Mustangs became the first mid-major and seventh NCAA baseball program overall to adopt KinaTrax, a markerless motion capture technology that combines biomechanical, analytical, and kinesiological data to help improve development, injury recovery and prevention, and general knowledge of how an athlete’s movements affect their body.
With all these previous investments made around the program. The next step for Cal Poly Baseball is investments into attracting and retaining high-level players.
“Project Omaha will further strengthen our ability to recruit and support the dedicated student athletes who commit themselves fully — both in the classroom and on the field,” explained Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Their participation in athletics offers yet another opportunity to engage with our Learn by Doing philosophy, cultivating teamwork, leadership and resilience. This initiative will also create meaningful pathways for alumni and supporters to contribute to the success of our student athletes.”
“Project Omaha represents a strategic and necessary investment in the future of Cal Poly Baseball,” said Carter Henderson, Cal Poly Director of Athletics. “Through Players Edge, we are prioritizing resources that directly impact student-athletes while positioning our baseball program to compete nationally. This campaign reflects our belief that sustained excellence comes from intentional investment and shared commitment.”
The Mustangs are coming off one of the best seasons in program history. In 2025, Cal Poly won the Big West Championship, advanced to final of the Eugene Regional of the NCAA Tournament and finished with a record of 43-19. Eight players earned All-Big West honors, including three First Team selections.
Cal Poly Baseball alumnus Robin Baggett '73, namesake of Baggett Stadium, emphasized the long-term vision and aspirational nature of the campaign.
“Project Omaha is an ambitious goal, and it should be,” Baggett said. “This campaign is about providing the resources needed to recruit and support the caliber of players it takes to compete for a spot in the College World Series in Omaha. Cal Poly Baseball has the tradition, the leadership, and the talent — Project Omaha helps ensure we have the funding to turn that ambition into reality.”
Mustang head coach Larry Lee echoed both Henderson and Baggett’s sentiments on the impact Project Omaha will have on the program.
“Project Omaha allows us to compete with the power-four conferences for high-end players, as well as rewarding and retaining our current players,” Lee said. “It’s a game changer for our program in the ever changing landscape of college baseball.”
Project Omaha operates within Players Edge, Cal Poly Athletics’ department-wide fundraising initiative focused on securing scholarship funding and additional student-athlete compensation to meet the demands of modern collegiate athletics. While Players Edge supports programs across the department, Project Omaha is singularly focused on baseball’s most pressing competitive needs.
With a clear vision and strong institutional support, Project Omaha invites alumni, donors, and friends of Cal Poly Baseball to play a direct role in shaping the future of the program.
For more information about Project Omaha or to learn how to support the campaign, visit the Cal Poly Athletics website or contact Jenna Tognazzini, Assoc. AD for Development at jtognazz@calpoly.edu or 805-503-8563.
