Margo Jonker Stadium - Central Michigan Athletic Facilities - Central Michigan University Athletics

Margo Jonker Stadium

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QUICK FACTS

Official Name: Margo Jonker Stadium (pronounced Yonker)
Date Opened: 1973, renovated in 1995 and 2006
Capacity: 1,500
Location: Central Michigan University Campus
Address: 300 E Broomfield Street, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858
Dimensions: LF-200, Center-220, RF-200
First Game: April 7, 1995 (vs. Bowling Green)
Dedicated: April 19, 2008 as Margo Jonker Stadium

THE FACILITY

Margo Jonker Stadium (pronounced Yonker) was dedicated to the Chippewas' long-time former head coach during the 2008 season. It has permanent chairback seating behind home plate and bleacher sections located on both sides. A new backstop was added in 2009.

The stadium features seating for 1,000 fans, the Fran Koenig Press Box, a concessions concourse, an umpires' room, a team meeting room and restroom facilities. The team also has its own permanent locker room located in the Rose Center.

The surface of Margo Jonker Stadium, which is called Hilltopper Stabilizer, is a synthetic dirt that is made of crushed lava/scoria rock. The Hilltopper surface is similar to a clay surface but allows for a more true bounce and better prevents injuries. In addition to a higher-quality surface, Hilltopper Stabilizer allows for earlier play following the winter months and spring rains. Instead of the ground soaking up the rain, the water beads on top of the synthetic dirt.

Central Michigan's softball team moved to its current location in 1973, when new softball fields were built as part of the Rose Center Athletic Complex. A $250,000 renovation to the complex occurred in 1995 and a $400,000 upgrade in 2006 increased its seating capacity.

Jonker became a legend in college softball circles as she finished her 40-year Central Michigan softball coaching career with a 1,268-808-7 record. Her win total ranks as the ninth highest in NCAA Division I history and is the most in Mid-American Conference annals. During her 40-year tenure, Jonker's teams won 10 MAC regular-season championships and made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances with one berth each in the NCAA Women's College World Series and the AIAW College World Series.

She was named the MAC Coach of the Year a record 10 times, was selected the NCSA National Coach of the Year in 1987, the NCAA Mideast Region Coach of the Year in 1987, and earned the Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year award in 1994 and in 2000.

A member of eight halls of fame, Jonker also represented CMU on the international stage, serving as an assistant coach for gold-medal-winning United States teams at the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia and at the 1998 World Championships in Japan.

AMENITIES