At Berry's Bowdoin Field, family, friends, baseball teammates and colleagues came together on the afternoon of Mountain Day to honor the legacy of David Cloud (95C) during the dedication of the "Cloud 9" viewing deck.
This new addition - located just beyond the right field wall - honors Cloud's love for Berry by providing a gathering spot for baseball alumni to reconnect and share stories as they cheer on the Vikings. Adorned with David's name and jersey number, "Cloud 9" stands as a testament to the life he lived and the legacy he left behind, especially poignant as it was completed in honor of what would have been his 50th birthday. David passed away in 2023.
David's wife, Heather Taylor Cloud (97C), noted, "David was so proud of the years he played for Berry. He felt Berry set him up for success in life." Indeed, he made the most of his experience, leveraging his business management degree to build a successful 25-year career with Aflac.
The idea for the memorial came shortly after David's passing, when Heather and their youngest son, Aiden (26c), reached out to David Beasley, Berry's associate athletic director and head baseball coach. Heather and Aiden wanted a meaningful way to honor David, and Coach Beasley immediately knew that a viewing deck at Bowdoin Field would be the perfect tribute.
The project not only raised funds but also brought the Berry baseball community closer, rekindling the connections among alumni who came together to support the cause.
"It's been very meaningful to see everyone support this project and the many baseball alumni reconnecting through it," Heather reflected. The Mountain Day dedication of the "Cloud 9" deck was emotional for all involved, offering a chance to honor David's memory in the place that had meant so much to him.
Coach Beasley expressed how fitting the new addition is, saying, "The deck is a great place for baseball alumni to gather and support the team."
