In the spring of 2023, phase 1 of the Walt and Janice Owens Park was completed. The natural grass infield and pitching mound, as well as the bullpen mounds, were replaced with Astroturf. Improvements were also made to the infield drainage system and ADA accessibility and seating. New landscaping and fencing around the infield, backstop wall and netting systems were installed. More new fencing, fence padding, a new scoreboard and pitch clocks are planned for installation prior to the 2024 season. Fundraising also continues to move forward on the additional phases. Additional phases are outlined here.
On April 16, 2023 the field was officially renamed Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park.
In the fall of 2021, the home bullpen and batting cages were redesigned adding more storage and useable hitting and practice space. The areas were turfed, and pitching mounds rebuilt. .
In the fall of 2014, the home batting cage netting systems were replaced.
Along with plenty of room to have indoor practices, 4 indoor batting cages were included in the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center when it opened in October, 2013.
The current Aluminum grandstand and press box facilities were added during the 1993 season and the following year fencing was constructed to close off the perimeter of the facility.
McKinzie Field is the third baseball home for the Huskies. NIU's first two facilities were on the west bank of the Kishwaukee River, where the Visual Arts Building presently stands, and at the "North 40" area near Anderson Hall.
About Ralph McKinzie
One of NIU's early pioneers, Ralph McKinzie's contributions spanned nearly a quarter of a century (1940-63) and resulted in his induction as a charter member of Huskie Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978.
Before coming to NIU, McKinzie was a three-sport standout as an undergraduate, served in the U.S. Army in World War I, and coached at two colleges. While at Eureka College, McKinzie coached President Ronald Reagan, who played offensive guard from 1928-32.
At NIU, McKinzie served terms as coach for baseball, tennis and track, was an assistant football coach and an athletics trainer. He led the baseball program in 1945 and from 1949-56 totaling 70 career wins, including Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1950 and 1951.
McKinzie died at the age of 96 on Dec. 7, 1990.
About Walt Owens
Walt Owens, known to thousands of Huskie students, student-athletes and staff as "Coach O" during his 45-plus years as a coach, faculty member, mentor and pioneer in NIU's Black community, passed away in September 2020. He served as NIU's head baseball coach from 1976-82 after originally coming to DeKalb as an assistant men's basketball coach in 1973, a position he held until 1978. He was a professor and member of the faculty at NIU from 1973-2007. Read more about his life, legacy and career, here .
Ralph McKinzie Field at Walt and Janice Owens Park Facts
Original Construction: 1965
First Game: April 10, 1965 (L, 13-1 to Wisconsin)
First NIU Win: April 30, 1965 (W, 10-5 over Central Michigan)
Dedication/Naming: May 8, 1993
All-Time Home Record: 353-295-10 (.544)
Home Record since 2003: 63-35-1 (641)
Capacity: 1,500
Dimensions (L to R): 312-368-395-368-322
Outfield Wall Height: 8 feet
