J. O. Christian Field

J. O. Christian Field was a baseball stadium in Storrs, Connecticut, United States. It was the home field of the Connecticut Huskies baseball team of the NCAA Division I's American Athletic Conference (The American) from 1968 through 2019. The stadium held seating for 2,000 people. It was named after former UConn baseball coach and athletic director, J. Orlean Christian.[1] UConn played their last game at J.O. Christian field on May 11, 2019.[2]

J. O. Christian Field
The infield at J.O. Christian field prior to a doubleheader between UConn and Rutgers on April 20, 2012.
LocationJim Calhoun Way east of Separatist Road, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
Coordinates41.8003672°N 72.2567368°W / 41.8003672; -72.2567368
OwnerUniversity of Connecticut
OperatorUniversity of Connecticut
Capacity2,000
Field size340 feet (Left field)
370 feet (LCF)
405 feet (Center field)
370 feet (RCF)
340 feet (Right field)[1]
SurfaceNatural grass, Beam clay
Construction
Built1968
Expanded1993[1]
ClosedMay 11, 2019
Demolished2019
Tenants
Connecticut Huskies baseball (1968–2019)

In the offseason following the 2011 season, the university announced fundraising efforts for a new baseball stadium.[3] The stadium will be built across the street from the existing J. O. Christian Field, behind the site of the new Morrone Stadium, and will seat 1,500. Construction is expected to begin on the athletic complex in mid-2018. The new facility will include artificial turf to facilitate play early in the season, an indoor training facility, lights, and a scoreboard.[4][5][6][7][8]

When construction on the full athletics complex (baseball, softball, soccer, and performance center) are complete, a turf field will be built on the site for use by the soccer and lacrosse teams as well as intramural sports. It will retain the name J. O. Christian Field.[9]

See also

References
  1. "J.O. Christian Field (Stadium Road, Storrs campus)". uconnhuskies.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
  2. Jeff Jacobs (May 11, 2019). "Jeff Jacobs: Though Penders doesn't break record, J.O. Christian will still be remembered as a field of dreams". New Haven Register. New Haven, Connecticut. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  3. Poulson, Ginger. "UConn Announces Plans for New Stadium". College Baseball Daily. CBD News Source. Archived from the original on January 31, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  4. Tim Tolokan (March 12, 2018). "Time to Bring UConn Baseball Into a New Home". UConn Huskies. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  5. Dan Madigan (February 3, 2017). "UConn releases info on possible new athletic facilities". The Daily Campus. Storrs, Connecticut. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  6. Aman Kidwai (November 2, 2017). "UConn Getting New Soccer, Baseball, and Softball Stadiums". The UConn Blog. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  7. Kathleen Megan (March 2, 2017). "UConn Trustees Approve $4.75 Million Design for 3 New Stadiums". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  8. Kathleen Megan (February 10, 2017). "With Feasibility Study And Ticket Surcharge, UConn Moving Forward On Plans For New Stadiums". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  9. Daniel Connolly (April 25, 2019). "Naming UConn Baseball's New Stadium "Elliot Ballpark" Fits, But Save Space for Jim Penders' Name". The UConn Blog. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
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