Bowlin Stadium
{{Short description|Softball stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska}}
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Bowlin Stadium
| nickname =
| image =
| location = Lincoln, Nebraska
| address = 403 Line Drive Circle
| coordinates = {{coord|40.8241|-96.7146|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| type = Stadium
| broke_ground = Apr. 12, 2000
| opened = Mar. 18, 2002
| closed =
| demolished =
| expanded = 2024
| operator = University of Nebraska–Lincoln
| surface = Kentucky bluegrass
| construction_cost = $29.53 million (includes Hawks Field)
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|29530000|2001}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}})
| architect = Stan Meradith, DLR Group
| former_names =
| seating_capacity = 2,796
| record_attendance = 2,691 {{small|(Apr. 27, 2024)}}
| tenants = Nebraska Cornhuskers softball (2002–present)
| dimensions = Left field: {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=on}}
Center field: {{convert|220|ft|m|abbr=on}}
Right field: {{convert|195|ft|m|abbr=on}}
}}
Bowlin Stadium is a softball stadium in the Haymarket District of Lincoln, Nebraska. It is less than a mile west of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is the home venue of the school's softball team. The thirty-two acre Haymarket Park complex, jointly financed by the city of Lincoln and NU, was completed in 2001 at a cost of $29.53 million. Bowlin Stadium is adjacent to the larger Hawks Field, which hosts Nebraska's baseball team.
History
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln announced a new baseball and softball stadium project on July 30, 1999, which was unanimously approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents on April 1, 2000. The Omaha-based DLR Group was contracted as the principal designer for the complex.{{cite web|url=https://huskers.com/documents/2021/3/1/2021_Baseball_Media_Guide.pdf?path=baseball|title=2022 Nebraska Baseball Media Guide|publisher=Nebraska Athletics|access-date=20 October 2022}} The Haymarket Park complex broke ground on April 12, 2000, just off U.S. Route 6 and Charleston Street west of downtown Lincoln. Construction was completed in mid-June of 2001, though Nebraska did not play its first game at the stadium until March 19, 2002, a 3–1 victory over Creighton.{{cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/baseball/looking-back-at-the-buck-20-years-later-fond-memories-remain-of-nebraskas-rickety-old/article_53c1f353-2e7e-57cf-8271-4e9bf0a8d1f7.html|title=Looking back at the Buck: 20 years later, fond memories remain of Nebraska's rickety old ballpark|author=Chris Basnett|publisher=Lincoln Journal Star|date=12 June 2021|access-date=20 October 2022}}
The city of Lincoln, which maintains ownership of the land and buildings in the Haymarket Park complex, contributed $13.7 million to construction. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Lincoln Pro Baseball (LPB) each contributed approximately ten million dollars.{{cite web|url=https://recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=200307s02e|title=Bringing Baseball Home|website=Recreation Management|accessdate=20 October 2022}} NU signed a thirty-five-year lease with no charged property tax or insurance fees.
Bowlin Stadium is named for Ione Bowlin, a state native and former administrator whose estate made a significant donation to the school's athletic department.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynebraskan.com/board-to-decide-on-field-stadium-naming/article_7966fc2f-133c-57f2-8663-2494fddb3ca2.html|title=Board to decide on field, stadium naming|author=David Diehl|publisher=The Daily Nebraskan|date=18 February 2002|access-date=27 October 2022}} Bowlin died in 2001; the stadium was dedicated in her honor on April 31, 2002 and she was posthumously awarded the 2002–03 Dr. Barbara Hibner Trailblazing Award in recognition of her support for women's athletics at Nebraska.{{cite web|url=https://huskers.com/news/2012/4/6/205499464.aspx|title=Nebraska Recognizes Bowlin With Trailblazer Award|website=Nebraska Athletics|access-date=27 October 2022}} It has a listed capacity of 2,796 (though the university says it can hold over 3,000), with nearly 1,000 chairback seats in addition to metal bleachers down the first base line and all-grass berms down both foul lines.{{cite web|url=http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=2726|title=Bowlin Stadium|website=Nebraska Athletics|access-date=8 August 2017}} Nebraska has ranked in the national top ten in attendance five times and hosted five NCAA Regionals since moving to Bowlin Stadium. On April 27, 2024, a stadium-record crowd of 2,691 saw Northwestern defeat Nebraska 8–1. Nebraska's record at Bowlin Stadium is 274–120.
=Playing surface=
The Haymarket Park complex was the first collegiate venue to use the SubAir heating and cooling system to optimize field temperature year-round. The Kentucky bluegrass playing surface at Bowlin Stadium was named the collegiate softball "Field of the Year" in 2004 by the Sports Field Management Association.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Big Ten Conference softball venue navbox}}
{{University of Nebraska–Lincoln}}
Category:2001 establishments in Nebraska
Category:Sports venues completed in 2001
Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers softball
Category:College softball venues in the United States
Category:Sports venues in Nebraska