East Stroudsburg University Dedicates Enhanced Creekview Park Complex Following $1.8 Million Fundraising Campaign

Baseball field dedication

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on April 5, 2019, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s (ESU) new baseball and softball fields were formally dedicated on Friday, April 5, 2019, at the ESSA and Hughes Field and Creekview Park Complex in Stroudsburg, Pa.

The ribbon cutting follows the East Stroudsburg University Foundation’s $1.8 million fundraising campaign that provided for the installation of artificial turf on two fields, two sets of bullpen areas for each field, construction of home and away dugouts at both fields, permanent and accessible bleacher seating for fans, designated hitting cages for each field, and overhead netting to protect fans from foul balls. Construction was completed in March.

East Stroudsburg University, the Stroud Township Board of Supervisors, and the Stroudsburg Little League announced a partnership in June 2016 for the enhancement project. On May 3, 2018, ground was broken for construction to begin. The three ballfields at the complex are now named the R. Clinton Hughes Jr. Field (baseball), Vigon International Field (softball), and the ESSA Bank & Trust Field (Little League).

“At ESU, we are fortunate to have first-class student-athletes wearing Warrior red and black. Providing them with the best facility in which to play is extremely important to their overall experience,” said ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of alumni, friends of the university, a grant from the state Local Shareholders Account, and an investment by the University, we have completed an enhancement project that will benefit the entire community. Athletes of all ages will enjoy this marvelous facility.”

In previous years, ESU’s teams have been playing on Mitterling Field (baseball) and Zimbar Field (softball) on campus since the early 1960s and 1975, respectively. Prior to their construction, baseball was played in Eiler-Martin Stadium.  There was an identified need for facilities upgrades due to drainage, dugout, fencing and seating concerns at the existing facilities.

“We are grateful to Stroudsburg Little League and Stroud Township for working with ESU on this innovative partnership, and to the many donors and state representatives who helped make it a reality,” said Dr. Gary Gray, director of athletics at ESU. “Our student-athletes are proud Warriors and already they are boasting with pride about the fields they now call home.”

ESU’s baseball and softball doubleheader games against West Chester University, scheduled for 1 p.m. today, have been moved to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2019, due to inclement weather.

In addition to the Warriors’ baseball and softball teams, the fields accommodate Stroudsburg Little League, whose season began March 10.