Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Athletics Officially Unveils Owens Family Field
9/11/2026 11:38:00 AM | General, Softball
Home of Murray State softball named in recognition of generous support of Owens Family
In recognition of the generous support and transformational leadership of Leon Owens and the Owens Family, Murray State Athletics has officially announced Owens Family Field as the new home of Racer Softball during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning.
The naming of Owens Family Field represents another significant milestone in the continued advancement of the softball program and celebrates a family whose commitment to Murray State has helped create opportunities for generations of Racers.
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"Leon and the Owens Family have demonstrated an incredible commitment to Murray State University, and we are tremendously proud that their name will be connected through the home of Racer Softball," President Dr. Ron Patterson said. "We are deeply grateful to the Owens Family for their continued investment in Murray State and the lasting impact they continue to make across our campus, community, and region."
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"Murray State has always held a special place in our family, and we are humbled to have our name associated with the home of Racer Softball," Leon Owens said. "We believe deeply in Murray State, its student-athletes and the direction of Racer Athletics. It is exciting to see the continued growth of this program, and our family is proud to support the young women who will represent our institution at Owens Family Field today and for years to come."
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Owens Family Field will provide Murray State Softball with a home that reflects the championship aspirations of the program while enhancing the experience for student-athletes, coaches, and recruits through the newly-installed FieldTurf that now bears the name of the family.
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"The naming of Owens Family Field is a tremendous moment for Racer Athletics and an opportunity to recognize a family whose belief in Murray State has made a meaningful difference throughout our community," Vice President and Director of Athletics Nico Yantko said. "Leon and the Owens Family share our vision for creating a championship-caliber experience for our student-athletes, and their leadership and generosity continue to help us transform the future of the department and institution. We could not be more grateful for their partnership, and we are incredibly proud that Racer Softball will compete at Owens Family Field."
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"This is an incredibly special day for Murray State Softball and everyone who has helped build this program," head softball coach Kara Amundson said. "Our student-athletes work every day to represent Murray State with pride, and having the opportunity to call Owens Family Field home is something our program will never take for granted. We are incredibly thankful to Leon and the entire Owens Family for believing in our student-athletes and helping create our new home."
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The naming of Owens Family Field continues the momentum surrounding Murray State Athletics as the department recently broke ground on the Sandra Hartmann Press Box at the facility.
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The press box will feature a main media area and additional auxiliary space, all of which will be ground level to make Racer Field tournament-host ready. Grandstands will be fixed to the top of the facility, providing a spectacular vantage point for fans to enjoy the game.
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Other investments into the softball program have included revenue share money for student-athletes, the new indoor hitting facility in Roy Stewart Stadium, updates to the weight room and training room, and more.
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Murray State Athletics has raised $52.75 million dollars in support of new facilities, initiatives and championship resources as part of the department's bold, comprehensive $100 million fundraising campaign, Leading The Pack, which was created to further position itself for the future by investing in student-athlete success and wellness, revenue share and competitive resources and world-class facilities.
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Learn more about how you can support the campaign by clicking HERE.
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