The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
UFCU Disch-Falk Field hosts its first NCAA Regional since upgrades
05.29.2009 | Baseball
May 29, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- When the four teams competing in this weekend's NCAA Baseball Regional at UFCU Disch-Falk Field met with the media on Thursday afternoon, they were treated to something new and different.
Air conditioning and doors.
In the past, when the Longhorns served as regional hosts, press conferences were staged in a makeshift area outside in a batting cage. Now, after the recent stadium renovations, players and coaches meet with the media in a multi-purpose room, and it's one of many additions to the stadium since it opened the 2008 season with a different look.
The new-and-improved UFCU Disch-Falk Field offers new seating that brings fans closer to the action, and the 11 suites allow for business and entertainment. When UT Athletics decided to make these upgrades -- like adding more concession areas, box office windows and restrooms -- the goal was always to be a better, more comfortable host for NCAA Regional and Super Regional action.
"I hope that fans now visiting us from all over can really enjoy the freshness of the stadium," said Jim Baker, Associate Athletics Director for Events and Operations. "And because it's a tighter field, I think the players will feel it too."
And perhaps that is the one thing that won't change -- the feeling.
"You know, it's always going to be electric here," Texas State coach Ty Harrington said.
The look has changed considerably, though. The enclosed concourse is twice the size of the previous, and a FieldTurf playing surface replaced the fading Astroturf. Fans are also treated to a state-of-the-art sound system, scoreboard and video screen, and the whole place is spotlighted by a new lighting system.
In the past, UT had to bring in extra lights to bring the stadium up to TV standards.
All of it adds up to allow the Longhorns to be in a familiar position -- hosting NCAA competition -- but in a new setting.
"Our Baseball program has a great history and tradition of playing in the NCAA postseason, so it is only fitting for us to host another regional here at UFCU Disch-Falk Field," UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds said. "We're proud to have our neighbor, Texas State, here for this, and it is an honor to have Army, one of our great military academies, on campus. It's a nice touch to also have Boston College here, since I have known their AD, Gene DeFilippo, for quite some time."
