Sooner softball officially opens their new stadium, Love’s Field
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Friday became an historic day for the University of Oklahoma softball program. After 3 straight national titles, they get to open and play in their brand new stadium at Love’s Field. There was a dedication ceremony that took place Friday morning before the first ever pitch inside that afternoon.
“I can do this. I can do this,” head coach Patty Gasso said holding back tears during the dedication of the stadium. “Okay. We are blessed. We are humbled. We are grateful. On this historic day in softball history, it's a full circle moment for us."
After 7 national titles and a record winning streak, OU softball has their new home at Love’s Field. Patty Gasso’s new palace holds over 4,000 fans and is a spectacle for the softball world to see the Sooners take the field.
"You're going to be watching the legacy of strong women with a championship mindset that also stand humbly on the shoulders of the players that came before them,” OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said.
"It is our job to uphold the standard of championship mindset and lead by example every single day and continue it into Love's field,” OU softball captain Kinzie Hansen said.
Chilly temperatures didn’t keep fans away from celebrating the stadium dedication, which can be considered a checkpoint for the team through a long, successful, and emotional journey. It’s also something Gasso said transcends beyond the game.
"We have small young females, little kids, little girls that are witnessing this dream,” Gasso said. “And that is what this is about. We are preparing for the future. We're being great examples for leading this next generation of women into elite athletic programs and athletic facilities."
The team will play five games total there over the weekend. Their home games will now impact traffic as well. Imhoff Road will now close on game days from Jenkins to Asp three hours before first pitch. General parking is northeast of the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot.