The Lady Vols will soon be hosts to yet another state-of-the-art stadium, allowing for bigger and better bids for SEC and NCAA championship games.
Because of a generous donor, Sherri Lee, the Lee Softball Stadium was able to break ground on Oct. 20, 2006. The stadium, currently being constructed on Stephenson Drive next to the Regal Soccer Stadium, will be one of the only state-of-the-art softball stadiums in the country.
The stadium will feature a press box, private boxes, VIP suites, 1,581 seats with three underground locker rooms and a digital scoreboard with video-playback capabilities. Along with the stadium, a 6,500 square-foot training facility will be erected next to the stadium. The training facility will have a locker room, film room, player lounge, training rooms, kitchen, meeting rooms and coaches’ room.
Due to the early stage of the construction, delays are likely.
Women’s Athletics Facility Assistant Director Angie Boyd Keck said the original completion date of March 2007 will have to be pushed back.
“Since the stadium broke ground, construction has been coming along, but with changes made, (the stadium) will be pushed back to the end of May 2007.”
Regardless of the completion date, the Lady Vols softball team said they are excited about the new stadium. Catcher Lex Clay said the entire team is ready for the new field.
“The entire team is stoked about the field being built. It will be the best field in the country, until someone builds another one. Some girls have been waiting a few years for this field, so everyone is excited,” Clay said.
The stadium will offer a number of advantages, one of which is a larger size.
“We are going to have camera feeds at four points on the field where the coaches can record practice, and the film is sent to the Theatre room in the team field house. This is where the team will review film of practice and games,” Clay said.
Team members are also excited about a field house suited for relaxing before and preparing for games.
“The field house is probably the coolest part but is exclusive to the players, coaches and staff and parents of the players (sometimes). It has a huge team locker room, a conference room, a theater, a laundry room, shower room, kitchen and a ‘play’ room where there will be pool or ping pong, TV, games, etc., where the team can chill and have fun before games or practice,” Clay said.
Currently, the team practices and plays at Knoxville-owned Tyson Softball Park. The new stadium could not come at a better time since the field will soon be demolished, and a rollerblade and skateboarding park will be put in its place.
As with any upgrade in athletic fields, it will allow UT the chance to host championship games.
Brian Davis, assistant athletic director of Women’s Media Relations, said this opportunity was one of the main reasons for the update.
“We will absolutely push for more championship games,” Davis said.
Until the field is complete, the softball team will still practice and compete at Tyson Park.
