PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – Shawnee State Marks Major Milestone with Groundbreaking of New Softball Facility at Labold Park.

Shawnee State University broke ground Tuesday, Dec. 16, on its new softball field at Labold Park. University leaders and coaches gathered to celebrate the project, which will provide Shawnee State University softball with its own home field and further establish Labold Park as a central venue for Shawnee State athletics.

"For too long we have practiced in borrowed spaces," said Kristen Bradshaw, head softball coach. "I'm more than excited to have an amazing facility to call our own – a place where our players can grow, compete and create memories. Our alumni laid the groundwork, and our current players carried it forward. This field is a thank you to everyone who came before and everyone who is here now – you all deserve this."

Construction will proceed in two phases. Phase one starts this month with site preparation and field construction. Phase two, starting in January, will add seating, dugouts and other amenities. Shawnee State expects the softball team to play its first home game on the new field in April.

"This moment means a lot to our program," Bradshaw said. "Our student-athletes have worked hard to represent Shawnee State, and having a dedicated space where they can train, compete and welcome fans is something they've earned."

The broader vision for Labold Park includes hosting baseball, track and field and football. The new facility will become a central gathering place for the community, offering upgraded competition and training spaces for athletes and improved game-day amenities.

"This groundbreaking represents more than a new field – it reflects the momentum we're building across our athletic programs," said Gerald Cadogan, director of athletics. "We're building facilities that match the level of talent and commitment our student-athletes bring every day, and this is another important step in that growth.

The facility development also supports Shawnee State's membership application to NCAA Division II and its entry into the Mountain East Conference. Pending NCAA 
approval, the university anticipates competing in the MEC in the 2026-27 academic year.

Shawnee State softball opens its season on Sunday, Feb. 22, with a double-header against Defiance College in Charleston, W. Va.