Dec. 4, 2001
LAS VEGAS - After being lost in the middle of campus at the bleak and stoic Rebel softball diamond for 19 seasons, the UNLV softball team will finally and proudly unveil its new home in an exhibition game against the program's alumni on January 26.
Eller Media Stadium at Jim Rogers Field, completed in November of 2001, will not officially open until it hosts the debut of the 2002 Rebels. But the completed work now boldly shines and brightens the edge of campus at the corner of Harmon and Swenson.
"We have waited a long time for this new stadium and we are very thankful to our friends and supporters who have made it happen," said UNLV Softball head coach Shan McDonald. "The stadium is something our current players have worked hard for and they are excited that they will have the opportunity to play there. UNLV will now have facilities that are equal to or exceed our competition across the board, which will help us in our recruiting efforts."
Plans for the new venue were formally announced on March 9, 2000, when the university received $3 million in gifts designated to go toward the stadium and the establishment of a new women's golf team. The primary donors included Donrey Outdoor (now Eller Media), Jim Rogers, Jerry and Sue Lykins, other UNLV Athletics donors, and the UNLV Foundation.
"Eller Media is very proud to support women's athletic programs at UNLV," Sally Tracey, president of Eller Media Company, said at the announcement of the gift. "This new softball stadium will give the Rebels an outstanding place to host NCAA softball games."
Shortly thereafter, the UNLV Foundation contracted KGA Architects and KBA Construction Company to design and build the stadium. Ground was broken on June 7, 2001, in a special ceremony featuring the primary donors and Rebel softball players.
"This is a great day for our softball team, our athletics department and our university," said UNLV Athletics Director Charles Cavagnaro at the groundbreaking. "Today marks the beginning of construction on a project that we have been working on for a long time and to see it finally come to fruition is exciting. This stadium will give our softball program a great place to play its games and will help us attract the finest-student athletes to UNLV as well."
Seemingly overnight, what was once a large and barren plot of dirt was transformed, first introducing parking lots, then into a foundation and finally into one of the top college softball playing and practice facilities in the country.
The stadium, which meets and exceeds NCAA requirements, seats 770 people and cost $2.7 million to build. The outfield fence rests 200 feet down the foul lines and 220 feet in centerfield. Dugouts, bullpens and batting cages for both home and visiting teams provide a self-contained area for either practice or play.
Off the field of play, a press/concession building (1,700 square feet) towers over the venue behind the home plate grandstands. The bottom floor houses a full concession area while the second-floor press level can adequately seat up to six writers and two separate radio broadcast teams. A storage area completes the 550-square-foot press level.
"UNLV is very grateful that Eller Media Company, Jim Rogers, and Jerry and Sue Lykins so generously contributed to this important women's athletics project," said UNLV President Carol Harter. "Their support along with that of the UNLV Foundation will help UNLV meet national gender equity requirements and provide an excellent softball stadium of which we can all be very proud."
The team is eager to move into its new digs. With construction just recently completed, the grass should grow in over the next several weeks, and the field will be ready for practice when the Rebels return from winter break.
"I think the stadium will have a positive impact on every facet of our game," McDonald said. "Potentially, the stadium has the power to force a shift in pride for the program by the players and the fans. We have a $2 million mansion and we tell the players 'This is your house. You'll be very fortunate if you ever have another home that cost $2 million. Respect it, have pride in it, and play to its potential.'"
Not only will the new stadium provide Rebel softball with a needed upgrade in its facilities, but also will make a big impact upon recruiting.
"Obviously recruiting is a crucial part of becoming better," McDonald said. "I think the stadium serves as an example of not only what softball has to offer but also that our athletic department is committed to the program."
After the exhibition tangle against the alumni at the stadium's grand opening on Jan. 26, the Rebels will embark upon their 2002 schedule, which includes 13 dates at the new Eller Media Stadium.
