BLUFFTON, Ohio - Without soliciting contributions, Bluffton University has received $115,000 to create a permanent memorial for the five baseball players killed in a bus crash and for their teammates who survived.

University President James Harder yesterday announced that Bluffton would use the money - including a $50,000 contribution from Major League Baseball - to build a memorial to the 2007 baseball season and to make physical enhancements to the baseball complex, most likely to include new and enlarged sunken dugouts.

Both projects are expected to be completed in time for the Beavers' 2008 baseball season.

Gwynne Freytag, whose son Brandon plays on the team and was injured in the March 2 crash, wiped tears from her eyes after hearing the plans before Bluffton's final home game against Defiance College.

"Baseball will go on at Bluffton," Mrs. Freytag, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, said. "I think our kids proved this year they will go on."

The team's spring schedule was tragically interrupted when the charter bus taking them to Florida at the start of Spring Break crashed off I-75 in Atlanta.

Zachary Arend, of Oakwood, Ohio; David Betts, of Bryan; Scott Harmon, of Lima, Ohio; Cody Holp, of Arcanum, Ohio, and Tyler Williams, of Lima, were killed after the driver apparently mistook an exit ramp for a through lane, struck and rolled over a barrier wall, then plunged 30 feet back onto the interstate.

The bus driver, Jerome Niemeyer, and his wife, Jean, both of Columbus Grove, Ohio, also were killed in the crash.

The tragedy sparked an outpouring of support that Bluffton officials again talked about yesterday.

Mr. Harder said contributions for the memorial came from 175 individuals, 15 colleges and universities, and a host of school, athletic, church, and civic organizations.

Joe Garagiola, Jr., senior vice president of baseball operations for Major League Baseball, presented a $50,000 check to Mr. Harder, saying baseball Commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig has made it a hallmark of his tenure to lend a helping hand to those in need.

"When we heard about this terrible tragedy in Bluffton, this was a pretty easy decision," Mr. Garagiola said.

Mr. Harder also recognized Bluffton University students for contributing $10,000 to the memorial fund and Tiffin University students for adding $10,000.

Leigh Zajac, a Tiffin softball player who spearheaded a campus fund-raiser, said Tiffin students still have $2,000 to $3,000 to send to Bluffton from their successful "Purple Day 2007" T-shirt sales.

"We began ordering 80 T-shirts and we left selling 3,000 at $5 apiece," she said.

While plans for the memorial at Bluffton have not been finalized, Mr. Harder said it would be built in the vicinity of the baseball field and tell the story of the March 2 crash, invite reflection, and convey "the groundswell of support" Bluffton received in the aftermath of the crash.

He said it is the university's intention to honor both the students who were killed as well as those who returned to resurrect the 2007 season.

"Thank you Bluffton University Beavers for being a true inspiration to all of us," he said before announcing plans for the memorial in front of the team at home base.

Also as part of the memorial plans, the campus baseball field was named "Bluffton University Memorial Field" effective with yesterday's game. The field is part of the Emery E. Sears Athletic Complex but did not previously have its own name.

Before concluding his remarks, Mr. Harder asked Coach James Grandey, who was hurt seriously in the crash, to come forward. He had a letter for the coach that had arrived at Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital shortly after Mr. Grandey was discharged.

Dated March 13, the letter expressed prayers and encouragement for the coach, players, and all those hurting.

"I'd like to present you this letter from President George W. Bush from the White House," Mr. Harder said, handing the framed letter to an emotional Coach Grandey. "I know this is a surprise, but do you want to comment?"

The coach just shook his head ''no.''

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-353-5972.

First Published May 2, 2007, 11:09 p.m.