UTEP Athletic Director
Bob Stull and University President Diana Natalicio unveiled the future home of the Miner softball program Tuesday afternoon at the Larry K. Durham Center.
"This is an exciting day for women's sports at UTEP," noted Natalicio. "This commitment by Helen of Troy not only launches our new women's softball program with enormous impetus, but also provides a home for UTEP's successful women's soccer program. On behalf of all of the students who will enjoy the opportunities created by this new facility, I thank Jerry and Stanlee Rubin and Helen of Troy for their sustained and generous support."
At an estimated cost of $1.8 million, the Helen of Troy Softball Complex will be the envy of not only schools in the Western Athletic Conference, but schools across the country.
"Very few universities have the luxury of starting a sports program with a state-of-the-art facility," said Stull. "Thanks to the generosity of Jerry and Stanlee Rubin and Helen of Troy, we're going to have that opportunity. Our softball stadium will be as nice as any school's in the country. It will be equipped with offices and locker rooms not only for softball, but soccer as well. The facility will provide a huge boost in recruiting, and be something the university and El Paso community can be proud of."
An official ground-breaking ceremony is yet to be announced but the complex is scheduled for a Fall 2004 completion. The multi-purpose complex is slated to be equipped with sizeable locker rooms for softball and soccer teams, a locker room and offices for coaches of both programs, a shower and restroom area, two lounge/video areas, a conference room, a meeting room, a reception area as well as a storage area.
The softball field will measure 200-feet down the left and right field lines and 220' to center . The 900-seat facility will include a VIP seating area, lights, a scoreboard, three batting cages and two bullpens.
The inaugural season of UTEP softball is scheduled for February 10 as a double-header against Sul-Ross University.
|
|
