EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma Wednesday held a ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the grand opening of the newly renovated Broncho Softball Stadium.
 
Hundreds gathered around to listen to a variety of special guests, including university president Dr. Don Betz, former head softball coach Dr. Gerry Pinkston, former president of the International Softball Federation Don Porter, longtime UCO coach and administrator Virginia Peters, and current Broncho head softball coach Cody White.
 
Director of Athletics Joe Muller kicked off the event just before noon, thanking numerous people who supported the first major facility expansion for women's sports at UCO in the 21st century.
 
"What an important day in the life of this athletic program," Muller said. "Years from now, when others reflect on the success of UCO Athletics, no doubt they will point to this day as an important one."
 
Pinkston spoke a bit on the history of UCO softball. She became the first head coach of the modern era in 1975 and led the Bronchos to 450 wins over the next 22 seasons.
 
Pinkston told stories of the first softball field Central played on. It wasn't on campus, but rather a few miles west in a park operated by the city of Edmond. Pinkston said she had to call the city and get them to drag the field on gameday, and that she also had to haul all of the equipment around in the trunk of her car because there was no storage.
 
She raved about the time the Bronchos got to move on campus. In a field where the commons apartments and university suites now stand, the Bronchos got to play softball on campus for the first time in school history, though the outfield fence was temporary, and had to be taken down following the season so intramural sports could take over the field.
 
Then it came time to move to its current location, in 1997, and Pinkston handed the reigns over to Genny Honea, a former player.
 
Pinkston again raved which became a recurring theme on the day.
 
"It's always special when you have a former player take over your program," Pinkston said. "Genny took the program to new heights, including the first ever national championship in 2013."

Honea coached the Bronchos from 1997 until 2013, following the national championship. She won 475 games her time as head coach of the Bronchos. White was Honea's assistant on the championship team and was promoted to head coach ahead of the 2014 season.
 
Betz spoke of the importance of the new facility and how it will play a key role in getting student-athletes to come to the university and how it will help the program continue to be a national contender for years to come.
 
Following the speeches, Muller gathered that group along with those who helped in making the whole thing possible, to cut the ribbon and officially open the new facility.

The stadium is complete after $2.7 million of work. It includes a clubhouse for the Bronchos, coaches office, team lounge, public restrooms, spectator seating, a press box complete with a radio booth, and new artificial turf. Sparks Reed, of Tulsa, is behind the architecture and construction was provided by Timberlake.

Fans, supporters, donors, former players, alumni, and many others got the chance to tour the facility. Those in attendance were treated to a cookout by the Central Oklahoma ROTC program, and hung around to see some entertaining softball in the afternoon.
 
Central Oklahoma beat Emporia State twice Wednesday, winning the first game 4-3 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory, before taking the second game 9-0 in a five-inning run rule.