Michigan is naming their softball stadium after longtime head coach Carol Hutchins, the school announced on Thursday.
“I cannot think of a better way to recognize Carol Hutchins’ contributions to the University of Michigan community, to the game of softball and to women’s athletics than to rename the venue that she put on the map,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “I appreciate the work of our University Naming Committee and the unwavering support from the Board of Regents and cannot wait for Hutch to watch her first game at a stadium named in her honor.”
Originally called Varsity Diamond upon its construction in 1982, the Wolverines’ softball facility was renamed to Alumni Field in 1992. Following the renaming, the facility will now be known as Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium and will be formally dedicated as such in April.
Hutchins retired last summer after 38 years as the Wolverines’ head coach; she retired as the NCAA’s all-time wins leader after collecting 1,707 wins during her career. She led the Wolverines to 22 Big Ten championships, 29 NCAA tournament appearances, and twelve Women’s College World Series appearances, as well as the 2005 national championship.
She was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
