Northwestern University Athletics
Rocky Miller Park Renovation Update
4/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- On-going improvements at Rocky Miller Park, the home of Northwestern Baseball, have kept the Wildcats away from home thus far in 2015, but that changes when Chicago's Big Ten Team hosts the Milwaukee Panthers on Tuesday, April 21 at 3 p.m.
In June 2013 Richard and Roxy Pepper announced their generous pledge of $5 million toward the renovations to Rocky Miller Park. Built in 1943, the facility is named after Roxy's late father, J. Roscoe Miller, president of Northwestern University from 1949 until 1970.
On October 18, 2014 a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Rocky Miller Park. Guests heard remarks from Pepper, Northwestern President Morton Schapiro, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips and fifth-year senior Kyle Ruchim. At the conclusion of the program, leadership donors including Richard and Roxy Pepper, Mike, Pat, Laird and Deirdre Koldyke, Eric and Cindy Mogentale and Don and Melissa Brotz gathered with Phillips, Schapiro, Ruchim and Northwestern head coach Paul Stevens for photos on the construction site.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held today at Rocky Miller Park. Here's a look at the historic day in #B1GCats Baseball pic.twitter.com/hUM43sU3NQ
-- NU Baseball (@NUCatsBaseball) October 19, 2014
Construction began in the fall and the new look to the facility began to take shape immediately. As part of the first phase, the home and visitor dugouts were expanded for both comfort and safety of the student-athletes, and a new playing surface was to be installed.
Rocky Miller Park, home of @NUCatsBaseball, as seen from the roof of Welsh-Ryan Arena. MORE: http://t.co/BVyK6AZhj0 pic.twitter.com/umsbAmqLyw
-- Northwestern Sports (@NU_Sports) October 21, 2014
Northwestern had utilized a grass surface at Rocky Miller Park since its inception, but the time had come for a new look. Artificial turf would be installed that would allow the Wildcats access to the field earlier in the year and play through some types of inclement weather such as rain.
Any idea what this could be, @NUCatsBaseball fans?! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/uzeIAtSe5v
-- Northwestern Sports (@NU_Sports) December 5, 2014
For a photo galleries and more construction images, please check out the album on the Northwestern Baseball Facebook page.
On Wednesday, April 15, the Wildcats were able to get into the new Rocky Miller Park for the first time in order to take batting practice before hitting the road for a quick trip to play a nonconference game at UIC's Granderson Stadium. The Wildcats won the game in thrilling fashion, 4-3.
Here's a look at a few more photos from the first workout at the newly-improved Rocky Miller Park:
The Wildcats will play a three-game series at Iowa beginning Friday, April 17. After an off day on April 20, Chicago's Big Ten Team will begin an 11-game homestand on Tuesday, April 21 at 3 p.m. versus Milwaukee. After Sunday's tilt in Iowa City, the 'Cats will host 14 of their remaining 17 regular-season games at the newly-renovated Rocky Miller Park.
The second phase of construction includes a state of the art clubhouse that features a locker room, player lounge, training room, offices and more, new seating, concession stand, restrooms and a ticket office. To learn more about the Rocky Miller Project, please click here today.
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