The Challenge
As Oklahoma Softball stepped up from the Big12 to the SEC, the championship-dominating program needed a facility that lived up to its status. Claiming the title of the nation’s largest softball facility and more than doubling the size of the team’s previous space, Love’s Field sets a new benchmark for the sport as a whole.
Legendary Head Coach Patty Gasso brought her institutional knowledge to the table, actively participating in the design process. Together, we worked to showcase the program’s extraordinary success at both the team and individual levels, creating a living monument to past, current, and future Sooners.
The Strategy
Sooners are notorious for their bold, if slightly rebellious, bias for action. We took inspiration from these traits, infusing every detail with the team’s explosive energy. The resulting experience reflects the ethos and ambitions of a program both steeped in success and continuing to raise the bar. Our team meticulously crafted the journey through the facility to evoke the right emotions through the right elements at the right time. The design connects players, recruits, coaching staff, and fans alike to their shared passion. Thoughtful planning ensures that every element contributes to the overall narrative.
The facility’s grand entrance loudly and proudly proclaims the team’s identity, giving prominent placement to an impressive collection of championship hardware. The space strikes a balance between reflection and anticipation. Sleek, modern materials and finishes present the perfect backdrop for a program that is anything but complacent. Entering the lower-level player areas marks a shift in tone, highlighting individual achievement and promoting gameday reverence. The recruit’s journey wraps up in the closing room with equal parts timeless storytelling and aspirational messaging. A subtle interplay of depth and light casts evocative shadows on team celebration photos proudly rendered in the team’s iconic colors. The result is a lasting emotional impression, bringing the storied past to life while inviting future champions to make their own history. The mood takes a turn for the rowdier in the The Hype Tunnel. This sacred space features integrated lighting to create an energizing effect as the team takes the field. The team’s motto, Championship Mindset, graces the walls as a constant reminder and perfect backdrop for social media content.
Impact
Coach Gasso’s guidance was pivotal to the project’s success. During our discovery process, she took time to share the story of Oklahoma Softball, her core philosophies, as well as her vision for the look and feel of the facility. Her collaborative spirit ensured we accurately captured the team’s spirit and achievements.
This groundbreaking investment is the largest amount privately fundraised for a female-specific facility project in college athletics history. The atmosphere at Love’s Field embodies OU Softball’s fighting spirit and enduring commitment to excellence. The team broke in the space with an inaugural victory, extending their NCAA-record 68-game winning streak.
