Phyllis Ocker Field is a 1,500 seat field hockey field on the main campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The field is named after Phyllis Ocker, a former University of Michigan teacher, field hockey coach, and athletics administrator. The facility opened in 1995.
 Phyllis Ocker Field before a game in October 2014 | |
 | |
| Full name | Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field |
|---|---|
| Location | 1450 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
| Coordinates | 42°16′4″N 83°44′27.7″W / 42.26778°N 83.741028°W |
| Owner | University of Michigan |
| Operator | University of Michigan |
| Capacity | 500 (1995–2013) 1,500 (2014–present) |
| Surface | AstroTurf 1200 (2003–2013) AstroTurf 12 (2014–2016) Poligras Platinum CoolPlus (2017–present) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | September 8, 1995[1] |
| Renovated | 2003, 2014 |
| Construction cost | $13.5 million (2014 stadium renovation) |
| Tenants | |
| Michigan Wolverines field hockey (NCAA) (1995–present) | |
History
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Michigan has played its home games at Phyllis Ocker Field since its construction in 1995. The field is named after Phyllis Ocker, a former University of Michigan teacher, field hockey coach, and athletics administrator. Between the end of the 2013 season and the start of the 2014 season, Ocker Field underwent substantial renovations that included the installation of a blue AstroTurf 12 playing surface and a permanent 1,500-seat grandstand, which tripled the stadium's capacity. These renovations also included the installation of floodlights, a video scoreboard, and a new 13,000 square-foot support building that provides for locker rooms, training facilities, coaches' offices, and meeting space as well as a press box and broadcasting booth. The support building was built on the footprint of the former South Ferry Sports Services Building, which had provided similar accommodations since its construction in 1997. A new spectator plaza that includes restrooms, concession facilities, and ticket and marketing booths was also constructed during the 2014 renovations.[2] These renovations cost an estimated $13.5 million.[3]
Built partially on the site of Regents Field, the home of the Michigan football team between 1893 and 1905, Ocker Field was constructed in 1995 jointly with the Michigan Soccer Field. In 1997, the South Ferry Sports Services Building was constructed adjacent to the field, providing locker rooms, training facilities, and storage space for both the field hockey and women's soccer teams.[4] In 2003, Ocker Field received a new playing surface, replacing the original turf with SRI Sports' AstroTurf 1200. The playing surface was upgraded at the cost of $500,000, a sum that was raised from donations from friends and alumni of the field hockey program.[2] In 2017 Ocker Field received a new playing surface with the installation of a Poligras Platinum CoolPlus field.[1] Between the 2003 and 2014 renovations, the stadium had a seating capacity of 500.[4] Before the construction of Ocker Field, the Michigan field hockey team had played at four other venues on campus: Michigan Stadium (1973–75), Ferry Field (1976–86), the Tartan Turf (1987–90), and Oosterbaan Fieldhouse (1991–94).[4]
NCAA Championship
editMichigan has hosted the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship twice in program history, first in 2015 and most recently in 2021.[5][6] They have also served as regional host for the NCAA first and second rounds on four occasions; in 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2017.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Woodhouse, Kellie (May 14, 2013). "Next University of Michigan sports upgrade: field hockey facility". The Ann Arbor News. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Phyllis Ocker Field Hockey Field". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ "Hosting of NCAA Championship Highlights U-M's 2015 Schedule". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. June 10, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Svoboda, Kurt (April 18, 2017). "Michigan Selected to Host Seven NCAA Events". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ Howard, Leah (July 30, 2021). "Hosting of NCAA Championship Highlights U-M's 2021 Schedule". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 17, 2021.