Ms. Ione Bowlin was awarded the 2002-03 Dr. Barbara Hibner Trailblazer Award. The award is presented to an individual, family, or business in recognition of outstanding support and generous contributions to Nebraska women's athletics.
The University of Nebraska and the NU softball program held a special pre-game ceremony on Sunday, April 31, 2002, to dedicate Bowlin Stadium, the Huskers' new facility at Haymarket Park. The ceremony preceded the fourth-ranked Huskers' doubleheader against No. 24 Texas A&M.
The new softball facility was named Bowlin Stadium in honor of the late Ione Bowlin, who through her estate, made a generous contribution in support of women's athletics. Bowlin, a native of Fremont, Neb., graduated from the University of Nebraska with a teaching degree in physical education in 1938. Shortly after her graduation, Bowlin joined the military. During World War II, she established recreation centers in Europe for G.I.'s on R&R and recovery. Bowlin thought that dance, recreation and sports were an integral part of a person's well-being, and when she returned to the United States, she felt that giving back to campus programs related to these activities would provide important opportunities to young people. Bowlin died on April 27, 2001 at the age of 84.
"When I found out that Ione Bowlin had given this money and gifted it to our program, I was deeply touched," NU Softball Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "Here's someone that went through college in the 1930s, pre-Title IX, who was probably an athlete in her own right but didn't get the opportunities to compete like we do today, and yet she's making such a statement that she wants women to be able to go on and compete at the highest level in the nicest facilities they possibly can."
Then-University Foundation President Terry Fairfield represented Ione Bowlin at the dedication ceremony, throwing a ceremonial first pitch in her honor.
"It really is fitting that the stadium carry Ione Bowlin's name," Fairfield said. "She wanted the young people of the future to have the same advantages she had while she attended the University. She was very pleased with the growth in women's athletics and the performance of the University of Nebraska in funding these sports and excelling in these sports."
The 2002 season marked the NU softball team's inaugural season at Bowlin Stadium. The venue, which can accomodate up to 2,500 fans, features 750 chairback seats and berm seating behind both dugouts and in the outfield. The stadium was built in conjuction with the 6,000-seat baseball stadium at Haymarket Park, a $29.53 million complex that also includes medical and laundry facilities, coaches' offices and team lockers and lounges for the softball coaches and players.
Both stadiums at Haymarket Park were built with a SubAir system. The system can both heat and cool the field, allowing green grass to be grown nearly year-round. Haymarket Park is one of only two facilities in the country equipped with the SubAir system. The other is Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.
The softball team played its last game at its former home, the NU Softball Complex, May 6, 2001. The Huskers defeated Iowa State, 7-0, to clinch the Big 12 Conference title. Nebraska compiled a 186-41 record in 19 years at the NU Softball Complex.