Love was the theme of the Michael Wilhite Memorial Entrance dedication before the Toppers’ game on Saturday at Denes Field.

“I think the best word to describe Michael would be love,” former Western baseball coach Joel Murrie said in a letter read during the ceremony. “Michael loved his family, his team and he wasn’t afraid to show that.”

Wilhite, a Topper infielder from 2003-05, drowned on July 28 in the Deshutes River in Bend, Ore. Wilhite was playing summer league baseball for the Bend Elks at the time.

The ceremony was held before Western’s 3 p.m. game against South Alabama.

Several hundred people came out for the dedication of the newest addition to Denes Field, including Wilhite’s family, friends and former teammates.

The project cost around $50,000 and was funded by various boosters and donations throughout the university and community, President Gary Ransdell said.

Ransdell said the memorial symbolized that family comes before everything else.

“It’s tough to lose a family member,” Ransdell said. “Michael and his family have been friends with my family for a long time, so that makes it tough, personally.”

Speakers at the ceremony included Athletics Director Wood Selig, Ransdell, Wilhite’s father, Max, and Wilhite’s brother, Matt.

Matt Wilhite was a Western pitcher from 2000-03 and is currently playing in the Los Angeles Angels Class AAA affiliate Salt Lake Bees.

The ceremony was steeped in sorrow as Wilhite’s father and brother became emotional during their speeches.

“It’s awesome what they’re doing here with everything,” Matt Wilhite said. “(The ceremony) brings out a little more (emotion), but it’s the same feelings I have every morning. My brother was so much a part of my life, and he still is. I go to the field everyday with my intentions to play for him.”

The entrance was inspired by Wilhite’s No. 4 jersey, which he wore in his three years as a Topper.

Four park benches are outside of the gates into the stadium, four trees surround the inside of the entrance and four brick patches line the walkway entering Denes Field.

The entrance also includes a brick ticket booth and several rows of bushes on both the inside and outside of the iron gates.

A plaque honoring Wilhite was placed in the center of the walkway just inside the stadium. It is surrounded by a garden of flowers and bares Wilhite’s likeness, along with a short message honoring the fallen Topper.

“I think it’s stunning,” Selig said. “I think it’s a fitting tribute to Michael Wilhite. I’ve never seen a classier entrance into any athletic facility than what we’ve created here.”

Following the dedication of the entrance, the Topper baseball team honored Wilhite by presenting his family with his No. 4 jersey and a picture frame showing game images of Wilhite. Max Wilhite threw out the game’s first pitch.

There was a moment of silence before the game to honor Wilhite, and the Topper baseball team wore black hats with his No. 4 written on them during the day’s game to remember him.

“This entrance to Denes Field will serve as a living memorial to and a living reminder of Michael Wilhite,” Selig said during the ceremony. “The Michael Wilhite Entrance will serve as a lasting tribute to the wonderful student-athlete, teammate and family member that Michael Wilhite was.”