Hennon Stadium
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| Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Location | Cullowhee, NC |
| Opened | April 26, 1978 |
| Owner | Western Carolina University |
| Operator | Western Carolina University |
| Construction cost | Initial $125,000; $1 million in upgrages |
| Former names | Childress Field |
| Tenants | Western Carolina Baseball Catamounts |
| Capacity | |
The Western Carolina University Baseball Catamounts have called Ronnie G. Childress Field its home for 31 years.[1] The baseball facility was officially renamed Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium in a dedication program on April 23, 1994.
In 1978, the baseball stadium was moved approximately 200 yards to the east from the former "Haywood Field". The Cats have won over 72 percent of their home games since then, with a 526-201 record in 30 seasons. Bill Haywood, head baseball coach from 1969 through 1981, and Mr. E.J. Whitmire, longtime supporter and benefactor from Franklin, were the driving forces behind the building of the facility
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[edit] History
Childress Field, built at an initial cost of $125,000, was dedicated April 26, 1978, and named in honor of the late Ronnie G. Childress, an avid supporter of WCU athletics and a special friend of the baseball program. Childress, through his family’s radio station (WRGC) in Sylva, N.C., pioneered broadcasts of WCU’s baseball games. He died in May 1975 as the result of an electrical accident at the radio station. The James B. Childress family established the Ronnie Childress Memorial Fund Scholarships in 1975 and scholarships have been awarded annually to one or more WCU baseball player for the past 28 years.
The facility received a $500,000-plus face lift over an eight-year time period, thanks in large part to the generosity of Mr. Lamar Hennon of Dalton, Ga., and has become a showplace of Southern Conference baseball. Permanent bleacher seating, grandstand chair-back seats, and the facility’s first-ever press box were installed prior to and during the 1990 season. A modern scoreboard, concession stands, rest rooms, and a new infield were added prior to the 1991 season.
The growth of the facility continued as part of Western’s new building projects. Lights and a new sound system were added to the ballpark in the Fall of 2002. Western played its first ever night game on March 25, upsetting 10th-ranked Clemson, who is led by former WCU head coach Jack Leggett. In the summer of 2003, Childress Field was completely refurbished with nearly $500,000 worth of improvements, including new drainage and irrigation, a new burmuda playing surface, new infield dirt and a new warning track.
[edit] The Field
The baseball field’s dimensions are 325 feet down each line, 375 feet to the right and left center power alleys and 390 feet to straight away center field. Western's renounded “Purple Monster” in left field is 100 feet long and is divided into two 50-foot levels. The first and tallest level is 20 feet high and the second level is 14 feet tall.
[edit] Future Upgrades
A new clubhouse on the first-base side and stadium seating design are planned for the upcoming seasons.
[edit] References
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