Oklahoma Coach Patty Gasso becomes emotional discussing Love’s Field opening weekend.
The top-ranked Sooners boast a perfect 14-0 record with nine shutouts, but their anticipation reaches a new level as they look forward to inaugurating the impressive Love’s Field this Friday.
When asked about her thoughts on the upcoming move to the magnificent Love’s Field, Patty Gasso struggled to encapsulate her emotions during the Tuesday interview in the multifunctional room at Marita Hynes Field.
Expressing her excitement, Gasso stated, “I don’t know what to tell you about Love’s Field because it’s still a dream. Until the first pitch is thrown is when I will really pinch myself.”
The historic moment is set to unfold on Friday at 2 p.m., with OU facing Miami-OH in the opening game of the OU Tournament. With an estimated cost between $42 million and $48 million, Love’s Field stands as the epitome of collegiate softball facilities. Gasso eagerly looks forward to the change after three decades, mentioning she can’t wait to “make a right turn instead of a left.”
However, Gasso also expressed her fondness for Marita Hynes Field, acknowledging the countless memories and championships built at the current stadium. Reflecting on her emotional connection to the place, she got choked up thinking about Marita Hynes, the coach and administrator who hired her, as well as the players who contributed to the program, particularly the 2000 team that secured the program’s first national championship.
Despite the sentimental ties, Gasso aims to blend the past, present, and future as Love’s Field construction progresses. She emphasized honoring those who laid the foundation for the program, acknowledging the early struggles at Reaves Park and expressing gratitude for her two sons starting their coaching careers in the same location.
While Love’s Field is not yet fully complete, with ongoing construction on player and team areas, Gasso radiates enthusiasm. She described the amenities as surpassing anything else in America, stating, “Thirty years. It’s time to move into a mansion. We’ve been living down on the Eastside. It’s time to move into a mansion. I’ll probably have a lot more words for you Friday night.”
