Among booming success, there can still be a missing piece. Nobody understood that more than Mickey Dunn, a slash-and-dash outfielder who was having an outstanding season in his Southern Polytechnic University threads. On May 15, 1981, Dunn came up to the plate for what would be his final college at-bat, searching for the one missing piece of his playing career, a home run. Through four impressive seasons and roughly 650 collegiate plate appearances, Dunn had yet to leave the park.

     His journey to that moment was anything but linear. Coming out of high school, Dunn was heavily recruited for baseball around the country. His college future was right in front of him before tragedy struck the Dunn family. His father, Thomas Dunn, suddenly passed away during his senior season, turning the soon-to-be graduate's world upside down.

    Dunn played in a seasonal baseball league in Dalton, Ga., the summer after his high school graduation. Due to his recent life event, he planned to forgo his college career but conversations with college scouts that night threw a curveball into his plans. Dunn suddenly faced a tough decision after receiving interest from both Shorter University and Southern Polytechnic. After mulling it over, Dunn signed with the Hornets for two reasons.

    "The potential for a high-quality education was significant at Southern Poly," Dunn said. "Shorter said I would've gotten playing time, but they already had a star outfielder. Southern Poly said that I was going to start my first year. So, I went there [SPSU] and my freshman season was probably the best year I had."
 

    Results were instant for Dunn. He batted a career-high .383 and was named to the Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic All-Conference Team.

    Dunn made a new home in Marietta, Ga., donning the Hornets' green and white. Standing since 1951, S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field was home to countless memories for Dunn and SPSU student-athletes. After a few years of living the student-athlete dream, Dunn faced another impossible decision surrounding his collegiate future. Before completing his undergraduate degree, he was offered a job at VF, the largest publicly held apparel company in the world. He had to pursue a promising start to his career or finish his degree at Southern Poly. Dunn took the job and left to work in Jasper, Ga., as an industrial engineer, but still hoping he'd return to school soon. Soon was further away than he originally thought.
 

    In his time in the business world, he discovered his biggest successes in his life: his wife Teresa Ground Romo, and his children Matt and Cristina. As his life evolved, it moved further away from finishing his degree until a conversation with Teresa sparked an idea. After astounding support from his wife, Dunn decided to complete his degree, but the setting had shifted tremendously.

    In 2014, Southern Polytechnic State consolidated into Kennesaw State University, bringing two one-of-a-kind institutions together.

    Determined to put his nose to the grindstone, Dunn shifted his 40-hour work weeks to 40-hour study weeks. Needing just 16 credits to complete his degree, he buckled down and completed all required classes throughout a single summer at KSU. In retrospect, Dunn says that receiving his degree was one of the most fulfilling moments of his journey.

    "Being on both sides of it, this school has so much to offer," Dunn remarked. "Kennesaw State will be there forever, and I'm incredibly proud to be a graduate from KSU. We have some of the greatest leadership the school has ever seen with Kathy Schwaig, Milton Overton and Ryan Coe."

    After his stint at VF, he was primed to soar in the business world. Dunn found his next home in McAllen, Texas. His on-field success transformed into trailblazing business acumen as he became the President and CEO of MLI Industries (MLI), a company he founded in 1990. MLI is a major manufacturer of automotive airbags, seat covers and much more. Although his physical presence had changed, his heart remained in Georgia.

    Given his undeniable work ethic and business successes, Dunn was given a one-of-a-kind opportunity. While sitting in the Kennesaw State Convocation Center among his fellow students, he was also scheduled to give the commencement address to his own graduating class. 

    "You can write your own story in life," Dunn challenged to the crowd. "I'm a prime example of that. I grew up dirt poor and now I've worked hard enough to own a company with 5,000 employees. I'm just a normal guy, but I worked hard and I took the opportunities and the risks out there."
 
    As for the baseball program, it continued to churn out successful seasons at Stillwell Stadium since 1984. The illustrious journey for Kennesaw State baseball added another milestone 11 years post-consolidation, with one person connecting the two, Mickey Dunn.

    Longstanding for 40 years, Stillwell Stadium was the home diamond that saw two national championship teams at the NAIA (1994) and Division-II level (1996). After solidifying the foundation of KSU baseball for four decades, it was time to revamp their home park. On Sept. 8, 2023, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved a renovation of the Owls' baseball stadium.

    Dunn, a former SPSU student-athlete and KSU graduate, led the charge with a generous donation of $2.65 million to propel the project forward. Dunn's impact was so profound on the program that on April 30, 2024, Kennesaw State announced the name of Mickey Dunn Stadium.

    "I cannot thank Mickey and his family enough for how impactful this will be," head baseball coach Ryan Coe said. "It truly hits home when an alumnus steps up to make a generational difference. We will do our best to make him proud."

    "Mickey Dunn and his family have helped change the future for our baseball program and KSU Athletics through this generous gift," said Director of Athletics Milton Overton. "Mickey and Teresa inspire me every day with their commitment to their faith, family, and willingness to pour their time and treasures into making life better for those around them."

    In late August of 2024, demolition began on Stillwell Stadium to make way for Mickey Dunn Stadium at the same location. This left the baseball team searching for an interim field for the 2025 campaign. After surveying options for the upcoming season, the choice became clear. The Owls were beckoned to return to S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field on KSU's Marietta campus, a field where Dunn molded his college career. On Valentine's Day of 2025, Kennesaw State played the first collegiate game on that diamond since 2014, defeating Rutgers 5-3.

    "The first time I saw them on TV, I can't even describe the feeling of seeing them playing on a field that changed my life," recounted Dunn. "Seeing the administration put some money into that field and to see the product was such a thrill."

    The Owls will finalize the Marietta chapter with a three-game homestand versus MTSU May 15-17. Thanks to his immeasurable impact on the baseball program, May 16 will be "Mickey Dunn Day", where he will be recognized for his contributions to Kennesaw State Athletics. Friday night will be Dunn's first return to the Marietta field since the consolidation in 2014.

    As the baseball program awaits its missing piece in Mickey Dunn Stadium, Dunn secured his.

    In the District Championship on May 15, 1981, the Hornets faced Shorter University at the season's climax. Dunn had his final opportunities to obtain his one absent stat in college, a home run.  In the bottom of the ninth inning, it became clear that Dunn had one final chance to hit his first long ball. After watching a first-pitch slider dip out of the zone, he knew the fastball was coming next. He was right. Dunn launched the ball to deep center field, hitting his first college home run in no-doubt fashion. Nearly in tears as he rounded third base, convinced this was all a dream, Dunn realized he had finally captured his missing piece.

Mickey Dunn provided memories that he cherishes, and now, through his generosity, he will provide countless more for Owl Nation.

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