University of North Carolina Athletics
Help Build UNC's New Softball Complex
August 7, 2000 | Softball
Proposed design for UNC's New Softball Complex.
Groundbreaking Ceremony (October 21, 2000)
Historically, UNC has supported its athletic programs with solid funding, superb coaching and excellent facilities. The University has made a firm commitment to the participation and success of women in athletics. As a result, women's athletics at UNC carries a proud tradition of defining and attaining goals, being a strong leader at the conference and national levels, and proving that team sports indeed offer significant enrichment to the women who participate, both as athletes and as supporters.
That commitment is evident in the long history of the women's softball team, heading into its 25th season and expanding its presence in the conference and nationwide. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Coach Donna Papa, her staff and the UNC players, the softball team continues to set records and win conference awards, such as three ACC Player of the Year awards in its eight years in the ACC. Coach Papa herself has earned ACC Coach of the Year three times, in 1996, 1998 and 2000.
Until now, however, the team has had substandard facilities. It is time to fulfill the program's promising future and bring these facilities up to date.
The New Softball Complex
Funds already raised will allow us to put in place a new playing field, a practice field, dugouts, fencing and batting cages. In order to complete one of the nation's finest softball facilities, we need permanent stands for 1,000, a press box, concession stands, public restrooms, and a team building with a locker room and coaches' offices. This is where we need your help.
This type of complex will provide the UNC softball team with a facility that mirrors the high quality facilities already established and available to student-athletes in other intercollegiate sports programs at the University. Just as important, this facility will hold its own against the softball complexes at other schools in the conference and across the nation.
A superior complex such as this will help greatly in attracting the country's top collegiate softball players, as well as in giving the program the potential for national recognition. The design will also allow UNC the opportunity to host NCAA regional and championship softball tournaments.
This dream can only become a reality through the generous support of donors like you. Thanks to a significant lead gift, we are well on our way and have already broken ground on the new field. But, the rest of the project will require gifts, both large and small, from hundreds of loyal UNC supporters. The remaining $1+ million investment, and approximately nine months of construction, can only be completed as funds are raised. Please join the University in its efforts to enhance women's athletic programs, and help us to complete this vision.
For more information on contributing to the building of UNC's Softball Complex, please call the Educational Foundation at (919) 945-2000 or email ef@mail.edfndtn.unc.edu
