Cal Poly’s baseball program has launched an ambitious fundraising drive called Project Omaha, a nod to the city that hosts the College World Series.
The initiative, led by alumni Robin Baggett and Jason Novi, seeks to raise $5 million for scholarships, with the university pledging to match every dollar contributed.
Funding the Future of Mustang Baseball
Baggett and Novi say the goal is to secure 25 full scholarships, allowing the team to compete with larger programs that can offer name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
To date, the campaign has already surpassed $2.5 million, and the first round of funds is being allocated to incoming recruits for the class of 2026.
Those scholarships have already enabled the team to replace its starting catcher, Sunday pitcher and closer, reshaping the roster ahead of the new season.
The program’s vision extends beyond finances; it aims to make Cal Poly the most desirable destination in the Big West Conference, a league that includes rivals such as UC Irvine and UCSB, though their similar projects are notably smaller in scale.
A dedicated matching fund has been established to provide permanent investment into the program’s operational budget, ensuring long‑term stability.
Beyond the numbers, the initiative taps into a tight‑knit community of fans and a broad alumni network that shares a single dream: a World Series title.
Recent on‑field success — winning the Big West tournament and eyeing a berth in the NCAA playoffs — has only intensified the excitement surrounding Project Omaha.