When McMurry University brought the baseball program back in 1996 after a 47-year absence, the program received a jumpstart, when by the generous donation of Walt Driggers, the construction of one of the premier NCAA Division III baseball facilities was made possible.

McMurry played its first baseball game at Walt Driggers Field Feb. 12, 1997 in a 7-3 win over Wayland Baptist. The school officially dedicated the field before a home contest against Lubbock Christian University. Walt Driggers is the uncle of McMurry head coach Lee Driggers and resides in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Since its opening, the field has hosted two NCAA West Region Tournaments and hosts the National Southwest Junior College Regional Tournament yearly. The Abilene Baseball Classic that involves McMurry and Hardin-Simmons as the host schools plays yearly at Driggers Field and Hunter Field at HSU. In 2006, Marietta College, the eventual national champions, participated in the tournament.

The facility is located just east of McMurry's campus across the street from the Ryan Fine Arts Center. The field features a ground-level press box, a VIP lounge, two soundproof radio booths, indoor and outdoor batting cages, offices, training room and locker rooms for both staff and players. Future plans including adding a visitor's dressing room, umpires dressing room and a weight room. In 2007, the field will feature a new LED scoreboard to accompany an interactive message center implemented in 2005.

The field was designed and built by Anglea Turf Construction Company, which is headed by former Texas Rangers Field superintendent Jim Anglea.

Driggers Field Gallery