Members of the Western New Mexico University Mustang softball team with university leaders at their field's groundbreaking ceremony.

Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University announced the groundbreaking of a new softball field on Friday, promising freshman players a state-of-the-art facility that rivals other DII softball complexes and also ensuring fans an improved experience.

WNMU leadership, including President Dr. Joseph Shepard and Mustang Athletics Director Scott Noble, gave an overview of the project, which is focused on the installation of an artificial turf field but includes construction of new dugouts and a press box, installation of new bleachers and field lighting, addition of a 12,000-square-foot parking lot, and infrastructure updates. Mustang softball coach Ashley Hickman spoke of the anticipated impact on the program overall as well as on the individual student-athletes who will benefit from practice and play on a new field.

The ceremony had been planned for the existing softball field but was moved indoors in response to rainy weather. In addition to the 24-student-strong Mustang softball team, WNMU leaders were joined by WNMU alumni and faculty and staff from across all areas of the university.

For nearly 130 years, Western New Mexico University has served the people in its region as a comprehensive, rural, public body. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the state's only public Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences university, WNMU is committed to developing cross-cultural opportunities that encourage people to explore new experiences. The WNMU student body represents every segment of southwest New Mexico's diverse population.