WILLISTON, N.D. - Williston Parks and Recreation District has partnered with Williston State College to provide the Tetons with an on-campus fastpitch softball field by the 2016 season.

Located next to Rabon Field on the north side of campus, this NJCAA regulation-size field will allow Williston to host post-season tournaments. In addition to the WSC field, WPRD will be building two additional fields at the Western Star Softball Complex to keep up with the growing Williston youth fastpitch program.

"With our youth program growing quickly, WPRD needed another field," Baylee Nelson, WPRD Superintendent, explained. "We approached Dr. Nadolny and Dan Artamenko about possibly getting a field built [on campus] sooner than they had planned to help alleviate some of our shortage of fields for our youth fastpitch programs."

"It will be a great place to host home games and show other communities that Williston is willing to put in the resources to make our youth fastpitch program better," Nelson explained.

The project is in its initial stages. Next steps include surveying and dirt work, and installing fencing, sod, irrigation, and treating the field with agri-lime. WPRD and WSC have set a goal to have the field done this fall so it will be ready for the spring season.

"Having a field on campus creates a sense of pride and ownership in the students," Dan Artamenko, WSC Athletic Director, said. "This will develop into a lifetime appreciation of what Williston and the college provided during their exciting college years."

WSC will begin raising funds to add brick dugouts and a backstop that will match the college design.  

"This is an important step not only for the softball program, but for Teton Athletics as well," Artamenko explained. "We see this move elevating Teton Athletics to the next echelon of competition across the nation."

This is the second time this year that WPRD has stepped up to provide WSC a new home for the Tetons. Earlier this year, WPRD offered the Raymond Center as the home for the 2015-2016 hockey season.

For more information please contact, Dan Artamenko at 701.580.4546
or for additional information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND