9.30.24

Breaking ground at Wilkins Stadium

September 14, 2024, leadership across the university and Shocker Athletics officially broke ground on the renovation of Wilkins Stadium, a priority capital project for the university.

The ceremony marked the beginning of the first of four phases for the $19.85 million renovation. The WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement is halfway through its goal of raising $9.65 million for Phase 1 by the end of the year.

When completed, the stadium will include an indoor practice facility, team facility, press box and seating areas, additional seating including event pavilions in the outfield. The project represents the university’s outward commitment to the Shocker softball program which has grown tremendously in the last decade.

“These ladies have put in a ton of work, and they’ve evolved this program and made it a national standard,” said Kristi Bredbenner, WSU softball head coach. “To see something big, new and state-of-the-art is huge for our program, and it will help us not only entice student-athletes to come to Wichita State, but to stay.”