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Nusz Park Home of mississippi state softball

Located on the north side of the Mississippi State University campus since 1997, Nusz Park, formerly known as the MSU Softball Field, sits in the heart of Mississippi State’s physical plant.

The opening game at the MSU Softball Field came on Feb. 26, 1997, with the Bulldogs sweeping Samford in a doubleheader with back-to-back 4-0 scores. The opener was witnessed by over 300 brave fans that endured inclement weather.

Mississippi State holds a 508-255 (.666) overall record at the site and won a school-record 25 games in the friendly confines of Nusz Park during the historic Super Regional 2022 season.

Completed in advanced of the 2016 season, Nusz Park, a $6 million project, includes 1,000 maroon chairback seats, in addition to an expanded concourse that includes restrooms and concession stands.

There is also abundant standing room space around the grandstand and outfield. The outfield portion draws comparisons to Dudy Noble Field’s world-famous Left Field Lounge. Beyond the left field wall lies a state-of-the-art Daktronics video board.

It was announced on Jan. 22, 2016, that the facility would carry the name of alumni couple Tommy and Terri Nusz of Houston, Texas, and be known as Nusz Park. The Nusz’ lead gift for the softball facility was part of a significant contribution from them for Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign. The campaign gift continues their longtime support of the land-grant institution and will benefit athletics, academics and other areas of MSU.

In addition, the new press box was constructed to the specifications of ESPN and the SEC Network. The structure contains separate booths for both home and visiting radio crews, TV crews and working media.

The ballpark is considered as one of the top collegiate softball facilities in the nation. The Bulldogs’ first action in the new digs came against Southern Georgia, a 6-0 victory on Feb. 11, 2016. MSU opened play at Nusz Park with six-straight victories, including a sweep of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. State captured its first SEC win at Nusz with a 6-3 win against eventual WCWS finalists and third-ranked Auburn on March 19.

Nusz Park was on national display, as it hosted the 2016 Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament over May 11-14, 2016. The four-day event hosted 12 teams and a total of 11 games and drew praise from coaches across the league to ESPN and SEC Network officials.

"This is an awesome venue. We have been here a couple of days now. We had not been to the new stadium yet, so to be able to see the stadium, first and foremost, really shows a commitment to the sport of softball," Kentucky softball head coach Rachel Lawson said. "But then to see all the hard work that went into throwing the SEC Tournament was awesome, right down to the smallest detail. They have been tremendous, the city of Starkville and the surrounding areas have been tremendous."

Overall, the Bulldogs are 149-58 (.720) at home since the re-opening of Nusz Park in 2016. MSU shattered ballpark records on its way to its first Super Regional appearance in 2022. The Bulldogs went 25-12 at home, setting the school record for most home victories in a season.

On May 27, 2022 the largest college softball crowd in the history of the state of Mississippi descended on Nusz Park for the Bulldogs' Super Regional with Arizona.

Despite an 11 a.m. first pitch on a weekday, 2,209 fans packed the park for the first NCAA Tournament game in the facility.

The next day the record was again broken when 2,299 fans surrounded the facility. That figure now stands as both the Nusz Park record and state of Mississippi record.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION...

MSU announced upgrades to the Bulldog's softball facilities in 2022 and began construction of a new indoor facility following the season. In June 2022, the existing indoor hitting facility was demolished and MSU began work on a 12,000-square foot, $7 million project. It's a game-changing development for Mississippi State head softball coach Samantha Ricketts.

"We are thrilled to announce the new facility construction that will help exponentially with our player development, athletic performance and day-to-day operations. This is a project that athletic director John Cohen had a big hand in, as well as something we know will pay dividends in the immediate future of the program. Our student-athletes will have a state-of-the-art facility from locker rooms, a team meeting room, training rooms, as well as the top technologies in our batting cages and pitching lab areas. This will be one of the most elite indoor softball facilities in the country."

The new construction will also cause a relocation of the Mississippi State bullpen. Previously located between Nusz Park and the old indoor facility, the bullpen will be shifted to a location down the left field line, similar to MSU baseball's bullpen at Dudy Noble Field. This project was designed by Dale Partners Architects. ICM is serving as construction manager.

As impressive as the facility is on the outside, the real value for MSU is on the inside, which will include a new team lounge and locker room.

Other amenities will include a new fueling center, showers, a new training room, a team film room and an equipment room.

MSU's locker rooms, previously located under the grandstand at Nusz Park, will be moved into the new building.

The new indoor hitting and pitching space will feature direct access to the field and the MSU bullpen down the left field line.