A wave of athletic facility enhancements at Henderson State University should be completed within the next few weeks.
The current improvements to the Henderson State athletic complex are collectively the largest athletic facility enhancement in school history and will impact a variety of student-athletes in many intercollegiate sports – as well as students who participate in intramural activities.
"Our goal with this project was to upgrade athletic facilities to provide a first-class championship level experience for student-athletes and coaches here at Henderson State," Director of Athletics
Shawn Jones said.
As a result of a Henderson State bond issue last year, a new residence hall and student apartment complex are under construction. This bond allowed the university to borrow funds for auxiliary purposes at a low interest rate. The funding benefited residence life and intercollegiate athletics, two of the university's auxiliary functions.
The $5 million project includes adding synthetic surfaces to Clyde Berry Field (baseball) and Dee White Field (softball). Lights at both venues will also be installed to reduce missed class time and greatly improve playability and functionality of the facilities.
In 2015, the Henderson State baseball team played just 10 games at home with 18 games being cancelled or moved because of poor field conditions caused by inclement weather. Reddie softball played just 14 home games last season. Both teams were forced to incur extra costs for travel to games originally scheduled to be played at home.
The facilities are also receiving upgrades such as additional concrete work to improve accessibility, netting in front of the softball dugouts, tiered seating and steps at Clyde Berry Field for better fan sight lines and new fencing in both facilities.
"Reddies softball won the GAC Championship and advanced to their first-ever NCAA Tournament last spring and Reddies baseball also qualified for their first NCAA Tournament, won the NCAA Central Regional and finished fourth in the nation," Jones said. "These two programs are also outstanding in the classroom and in the community, and frankly they are deserving of top-level facilities to match their championship level of play. The timing could not have been any better."
Fans of Henderson State football and baseball will be able to park in a newly paved and lighted parking lot for 275 vehicles located between the baseball and football stadiums. Parking improvements at Dee White Field are also in the works.
New ticket booths, wrought-iron fencing and a new main gate entrance at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium should be completed in August just in time for Henderson's first home football game Sept. 10 against East Central.
Artificial surface and lights are also being installed to the football practice field to provide better practice facilities for the football team and Showband of Arkansas. In addition, this field will provide a location for intramural competition.
In addition to these large projects, Henderson State has completed or is planning a number of smaller improvements to athletics facilities. The resurfacing of the tennis courts at the Bettye Wallace Tennis Center was completed in July. All six courts have been repaired and are newly painted in school colors. Plans are also in the works to improve the locker rooms for the Red Wave swimming and diving teams in Wells Natatorium.
Finally, construction of a new indoor golf practice facility will begin late this summer. The project was completely funded by the generosity of alumni and friends who donated through the Henderson Foundation.
"This project allows us to be competitive across the board and to attract outstanding student-athletes to Henderson State," Jones said. "I am very appreciative of the support we receive from President Glen Jones, his administrative team and the Board of Trustees. Our success is a direct reflection of President Jones and his vision to aspire for greatness in everything we do. It is a great time to be a Reddie!"
Full Facility Enhancement Gallery
