New baseball stadium is a hit
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Shocker baseball resumed play in Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field March 28, after a 10-month, $7.7 million renovation. Seating increased from 5,665 to 7,808, and a new two-level press box, which includes 18 skyboxes and a new All-American Club, was added. |
Thirty years ago, the Wichita State baseball program was shut down due to a lack of funding and facilities. Today the program is among the nation’s elite, and the facilities are among the best in collegiate baseball.
The winningest NCAA Division I program since 1978 now has a stadium that received rave reviews when it reopened March 28 after nearly 10 months of renovation.
Brad Brownlee, a Shocker fan who attended the first game in the reopened stadium, said, "It's a great feeling to have a stadium like this in the city of Wichita. You have Lawrence-Dumont, but I feel this is great for college baseball. I like the way they've done the hill; there's more seating available. Overall, I think this is a great atmosphere."
Ever since the program was renewed, Shocker baseball has been a consistent winner. However, the situation today is far better for players and fans than 22 years ago. In those days players changed their clothes in cars, tickets were sold from the back of a station wagon, and fans and media watched games on flatbeds.
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Here's what some Shocker baseball fans had to say on opening night in Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field March 28. "We've been season ticket holders for 10 or 12 years, and the stadium is fantastic. The outfield and everything looks nice to me, and they seem to have things pretty well organized. The only thing is the parking. They've got to do something about the parking." – Vern Morrison "The renovations to the stadium are very nice. I think it's great for Wichita and Wichita State. Hopefully, it will improve the attendance because of more seating." – Monica Mikesell "Most of the time, I sit out here on the hill. It is much improved with the terracing and the rocks, better seating and a lot closer to the fence. It's really sharp. Of course, the rest of the stadium is terrific. It is a great improvement and should be a great place to watch a ball game." – Wayne Donner |
When The Coleman Co. put a $500,000 exclamation point on Project FutureShox, the $7.7 million renovation made Eck Stadium-Home of Tyler Field the premier collegiate baseball facility in the nation.
The money for the stadium improvements and spectator comfort came from five primary sources - private contributions, All-American Club memberships, luxury skybox suites, the sale of personal seat licenses, and the sale of $3.5 million in bonds.
 Larry Smith |
Seven prominent community members stepped forward with major lead gifts, specifically $500,000 from H.D. Hap Bledsoe; $500,000 from the Virginia Farah Foundation, whose president is WSU graduate Eric Namee; $500,000 from longtime baseball supporter and stadium namesake Rusty Eck; $225,000 from Southwestern Bell; $500,000 from The Coleman Co.; $100,000 from Shocker baseball supporter Gerald Michaud; and $100,000 from Shocker baseball supporter Willard Walpole.
The crux of the project, which was headed by Martin K. Eby Construction, included the removal of all center bleacher seating and the press box, which was installed in 1984. It was replaced with a permanent steel and concrete grandstand structure designed by Schaefer, Johnson, Cox, Frey and Associates, P.A., of Wichita.
Field box seating increased along with new chair-back seating, bringing the total seating to 7,808 from 5,665.
A new two-level press box, which includes 18 skyboxes and a new All-American Club was added.
Most fans will appreciate the additional rest rooms and concession stands. The renovated stadium also features a permanent souvenir shop.
Here are other features of the renovation:
- A prominent entrance into the new grandstand facility is a signature piece to the stadium. The Bledsoe Plaza combines an art exhibition with a walk of fame highlighting the accomplishments of Shocker student-athletes and boosters who made extraordinary contributions to WSU baseball history.
- Other improvements include the addition of 2,569 box seats and 1,218 chair-back seats in a new concrete grandstand, replacing the existing steel and aluminum grandstand sections.
- The upper levels provide private skybox suites, the Virginia H. Farah All-American Club with exterior seating and a new state-of-the-art, high-tech Southwestern Bell Press Box. Amenities in the skyboxes include a climate-controlled interior.
- Outfield seating was enhanced with two pavilions and terraces. The pavilions on the renamed Coleman Hill feature two covered, split-level, hardwood decks. One pavilion includes a fireplace. The pavilions may be reserved for special events. The Coleman Co. also provided chairs, grills and other products to use in the pavilions.
- The Coleman gift also resulted in improvements on the field, including installation of new artificial turf and warning track.
- The Southwestern Bell Press Box can accommodate high-capacity data transmission. There is a communication system installed from the press box to dugouts and dugouts to bullpens.
- The new facilities are a far cry from what coach Gene Stephenson encountered when he began putting together a baseball program. In 1977 he was introduced as the new WSU baseball coach. Despite not having a facility or any players, he was confident from the start.
At his first press conference Stephenson stated, "I'm planning on a four-year program. In the fourth year, hopefully sooner, we will be in a position to challenge for the College World Series."
The Shockers received their first berth in the NCAA Tournament in 1981, just three years after the program was started. The following year, WSU lost in the championship game of the College World Series.
Since then WSU won the College World Series in 1989 and finished second two more times in 1991 and 1993.
- Compiled from publications produced by the sports information office
