The Board of Regents approved the construction of a new softball center and the appointment of an architect for the project Oct. 19.
The $4 million Donald R. Shepherd Softball Center will replace the current softball services building adjacent to Alumni Field. The decision came during the regents’ monthly meeting, at UM-Flint.
“The commitment that the University of Michigan is making to our softball program is second to none,” said head softball coach Carol Hutchins. “The Donald R. Shepherd Softball Center will give our program what we need to continue our success at the Big Ten and national level. This new facility, coupled with Alumni Field, will give us one of the premier softball venues in the country. We are excited for what the future holds for Michigan softball.”
The new softball center will be built on the footprint of the existing building that houses the team locker room, meeting space and an athletic medicine area. The 10,000-square-foot facility will include locker rooms for players and coaches, staff offices, a team meeting room, athletic medicine and fitness spaces, and support areas.
“We have one of the nation’s elite softball programs and this facility will help us to continue striving for championships,” said Dave Brandon, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “The Shepherd Softball Center will consolidate all of our team, coaching and support functions into one location adjacent to our first-class competition venue.”
The resources needed for the project will be provided from athletic department resources and/or gifts to the facility.
