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Gateway Champions 1991 — MVC Champions 2004 • 2005 • 2010
2
Saluki Softball
2013
S
outhern
Illinois
University’s
Charlotte West Stadium was
completed in 2003, and has
quickly earned a reputation as one of the
finest softball facilities in the country, as well
as being a tough venue for opponents.
Since its opening on March 1, 2003,
the Salukis have recorded a .757 winning
percentage in their home facility.
The stadium is named for Dr. Charlotte
West, who retired as SIU’s associate athletics
director in 1998 after serving the University
for 42 years as a faculty member, coach and
administrator.
She began her faculty career at SIU in
1957 as an instructor in the department
of physical education. She became a full
professor in 1973 and developed SIU’s
graduate program in sport management,
which she directed until June 1991.
From 1960 until 1986, West was director
of intercollegiate athletics for women. She
helped transform the department from
its meager beginnings into a nationally-
recognized program with a budget of more
than $1 million for 11 sports.
After the 1986 merger of the men’s and
women’s athletics departments, West served
as associate athletics director for one year,
interim director for a year and associate
athletics director for 10 years.
Barrett Rochman, a Carbondale
businessman and SIU alumnus, who is a
significant annual contributor to the softball
program, had the softball field named in his
honor.
The $1.7 million stadium was officially
opened on March 15, 2003 with a 9-0 win
over Bradley, in front of a crowd of 395
fans.
In just six years of existence, Charlotte
West Stadium has served as the host of
the MVC Softball Championship three times
(2004, 2008 and 2012). It also played
host to the NCAA Regionals in 2007.
The state-of-the-art facility holds 502 fans
and is one of the finest in the Midwest.
The stadium features chair back and
bleacher seating, a concession area, rest
rooms, lights, large dugouts, a training room,
full-size lockers in a carpeted locker room, a
large electronic scoreboard, coaches’ office,
two batting cages, an irrigation system and a
spacious, elevated press box with phone and
ethernet connections.
The Stadium field consists of a four-way
sports turf mix outfield with a Bermuda/
rye mix primary and Crimson Stone Ultimate
Series Infield, which is illuminated by a top-
of-the-line lighting system for night games.
The Charlotte West
Advantage
Overall
MVC
Year
W L
%
W L
%
2003
10
3
.769
8
3
.727
2004
22
4
.846
10
3
.769
2005
17
3
.850
11
2
.846
2006
20
2
.909
11
2
.846
2007
11
5
.688
7
3
.700
2008
12
10 .545
9
5
.643
2009
14
4
.777
9
2
.818
2010
14
5
.736
11
2
.846
2011
16
7
.695
11
1
.916
2012
17
6
.739
9
5
.643
Totals 153 49 .757
96 28 .774
Charlotte West Stadium • Rochman Field