Members of the Vanderbilt community gathered at Hawkins Field on Tuesday, June 16, to celebrate the topping out of its new right-field structure. The addition will house private suites, premium seating, two new bars and a new player pitching lab for the stadium that opened in 2002.
“You can build a baseball diamond pretty much anywhere, but it takes more than chalk lines and a fence to make that ballpark part of the community,” Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director Candice Storey Lee said at the ceremony. “At Vanderbilt, Hawkins Field is a part of who we are, reflecting our best collaborative traditions and boldest championship ambitions.”
When the project is completed, the Hawkins Field footprint will encompass approximately 50,000 square feet of new or enhanced space, including student-athlete resources, additional capacity for Commodore Nation, premium seating and expanded food and beverage options.
Construction will continue throughout the offseason, and the project is expected to be completed during the VandyBoys 2027 season.
In addition to the elevated fan experience, the new structure will prioritize player development, with more than 10,000 square feet devoted to a new weight room and pitching lab.
“We don’t want this to look like any other ballpark in our conference. We want people who come to the ballpark to know that this is Vanderbilt,” Coach Tim Corbin said. “We’ll be back in Omaha (for the College World Series), and this project will help us move in that direction.”
The project is part of a series of renovations at Hawkins that have made it one of the standout ballparks in the country. In 2016, a capstone gift from former VandyBoys star and AL Cy Young winner David Price kick-started a campaign responsible for the existing infrastructure, including hitting facilities, classroom and alumni locker room.
The new facilities will help a program with three SEC Tournament championships in the past six tournaments to remain on the cutting edge.
The Hawkins Field renovations are part of the Vandy United growth initiative that supports major facilities and operational enhancements for all of Vanderbilt’s teams. Learn more about Vanderbilt United here.
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