The Augustana University 体育运动 Department is pleased to announce the renovation of 鲍登领域，家的 维京垒球 团队.
“鲍登领域 opened in 1992, one year after Augustana softball’s first national championship. It seems especially appropriate that its complete renovation follows yet another NCAA Division II National Championship for Augustana softball,” President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin said. “We are incredibly grateful for the generous donors who are covering all of the bases to ensure 鲍登领域 reflects the excellence of our softball program and serves student-athletes and fans as one of the finest fields in the country.”
The complete renovation will be the first for 鲍登领域, home of the 2019 National Champion softball 团队. Among the highlights, 体育场 will feature suites, 一个广场, chairback seating and a full turf field. 除了, 体育场, which will be built on its current site, will be slightly repositioned to allow for an expansive grandstand.
"This renovation will provide a championship experience for fans and players for many years to come,” Head Softball Coach Gretta Melsted said. “时间, effort and thought behind creating a new space for our program is exciting and appreciated.
“I can't wait for the new field to be unveiled to everyone and for everyone to have a chance to come be part of a great experience at 鲍登领域."
Augustana will break ground on the new stadium in June and it will be completed in time for the 2022 season.
“The new 鲍登领域 will be reflective of the program — a championship facility,” Director of 体育运动 Josh Morton said. “Our student-athletes today and tomorrow deserve it, and it’s because of our softball players of the past and their competitive excellence that we are able to build it.”
体育场, which will keep the 鲍登领域 name, will remain a place that the softball 团队 looks to protect every time it steps on the turf.
“鲍登领域 is a special place for us,” Amanda Dickmeyer ‘22 said. “It’s been a long time coming and it is awesome to see everything finally come together. Our program has had tremendous success through the years and I am stoked to continue that success on this new championship quality field.”
Throughout the process, three things have been kept in mind in the design: the student-athlete experience, fan experience and championship experience for all involved.
“Everyone on our 团队 is jumping for joy,” Mary Pardo ‘22 said. “We all love Bowden (Field) so much, but the infield and outfield need a bit of facelift. I am so excited to get a turf field.
“I am so grateful that we will be getting a facility that so many players before us and that players in the future will be able to love as much as we do.”
Fundraising for the 鲍登领域 renovation continues and recognition opportunities exist. For more information, please contact Associate Athletic Director for Development Robin Anderson Thormodsgaard at 605.274.5533.