The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Honoring Baseball's tradition guides Disch-Falk Field renovation
06.07.2006 | Texas Athletics
-
-
As a rule, Texas Baseball coach Augie Garrido lives in the moment. That is his philosophy.
You'll forgive him if he breaks away when the discussion turns to the renovation of Disch-Falk Field, where ground was broken on the project during a June 6 ceremony.
"My hope is that this stadium respects the tradition of Texas Longhorns baseball," says the man who has guided the Longhorns to a pair of National Championships, a second- and a third-place finish at the College World Series since 2002. He took the helm in 1997.
Chris Plonsky, the director of women's athletics and men's and women's external services, called Garrido "the best college baseball coach in America" during her remarks at the groundbreaking event.
"Augie is all about team," she continued, "and today we have the team here to make this a world-class facility again."
Tony Budet, the president and CEO of the University Federal Credit Union; Stan Meredith, principal of the architects from the DLR Group; John Martin, vice president/division manager of Flintco Construction Company and Dave Dixon, the interim associate vice chancellor for Office Facilities, Planning and Construction for the UT System shared the podium.
Budet, whose firm entered into a $13.1 million agreement with The University for the naming rights of the stadium in August 2007 when it becomes UFCU Disch-Falk Field, noted that he had a plaque on his wall that stated: "Relationships are all there is."
"Like doing this partnership with The University," he said, "in order to make something great happen."
Dixon called the renovation the "next chapter of Texas Baseball," while Meredith acknowledged that his firm, "recognized the responsibility to the legacy of Texas Baseball."
Martin praised the team his firm was working with on the project.
Garrido talked about the world-class leadership at Texas.
"We have an administration that gives its coaches everything they need to be successful," he began. "We coaches and players have everything we need to get the job done."
He spoke again of his wishes for the park.
"I would like this stadium to honor the great coaches and great players who have made this program what it is," Garrido continued. "Long before I became a part of Texas Baseball, there were heroes whose accomplishments have made this a nationally prominent team.
"Texas was the greatest program in the history of college baseball before I got here and it will be long after I leave."
Just the name -- Disch-Falk -- reminds all of two of the Longhorns greats: William "Uncle Billy" Disch and Bibb Falk.
The University of Texas System regents approved the $21 million renovation for the 31-year-old baseball stadium, which will be paid for by private donations -- $7 million of the $21 million -- as well as financed by bonds, which will be repaid by tickets sales and private donations.
"We prioritized our projects and took care of football and basketball and now we're taking care of baseball," said Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds earlier. "Baseball was long overdue," he stated.
Dodds indicated he and Garrido were in concert on the topic of honoring the baseball tradition of The University.
"We want everyone who comes into the park to be able to relive the history of Texas Baseball," Dodds said.
The DLR Group, in association with Austin-based O'Connell Robertson & Associates, are responsible for the design project of the UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The DLR Group of Omaha, Neb., has been designing baseball stadiums for nearly 20 years.
Among the schools where DLR Group has done baseball facilities are the University of Nebraska and Penn State. The DLR Group also has done Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., winter home of the New York Yankees; Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. (Minnesota Twins); and Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., the winter home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
"It is our vision that the design of this facility memorializes Texas' hallowed past," said Meredith, echoing Garrido's wishes.
The DLR Group designed the renovation of the facility, which will include a new facade, as well as renovated seating areas, press box, player development areas and public concourses and plazas. There also will be new concessions and restrooms, a ticket office, and the replacement of the field lighting system, as well as an upgraded sound system.
And, thanks in large part to a gift from Texas alum Steve Late (BMW of Austin), the stadium now enjoys a new scoreboard and video board.
Construction begins in July with completion planned for August 2007.
Garrido noted that the team would play the next season in Disch-Falk while construction is on going.
"The fans certainly will notice (the construction) and there may be some inconveniences," the coach said. "But, it was important that we not be moved to another facility to play next season. They will work the construction around our playing, both for games and practices."
Garrido never had a moment's hesitation that this renovation would take place.
"Because DeLoss told me he would do it," Garrido said. "When DeLoss said that, I knew it was done.
"When DeLoss makes a commitment, it happens."
