ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Renovations for both Lobo Softball Field and Lobo Baseball Field have begun ahead of the 2026 season, with the softball program getting new bleachers behind home plate and both facilities getting new expanded press boxes.
“We are thrilled to announce progress on renovations to modernize our press boxes and seating accommodations at our baseball and softball complex,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo. “Advancing competition facilities for our student-athletes is always a goal for our athletic department, and we are incredibly thankful to the donors, legislators, and staff that have made this project possible.”
With the previous bleachers and press box removed, the softball renovation is set to begin with the installation of the bleachers in early 2026, followed by the press box installation. The baseball renovation will happen simultaneously with work beginning on the press box in mid-December. Both softball and baseball renovations are anticipated to be finished by late January/early February in advance of the 2026 seasons.
Both press boxes will be upgrades from the previous boxes. The new baseball box will have an interior space of 448 square feet and the new softball press box 179 square feet inside. Both complexes will have a shaded filming platform atop the press boxes. The baseball press box will have three separate spaces for both visiting and home broadcasts, as well as a control room. The completion of the press box at Lobo Baseball Field marks one of the finishing touches to the complex, after the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Clubhouse opened in 2016 and the bleacher grandstands were constructed in 2020.
“We are so thankful to everyone who made this project possible. It’s a huge step towards ensuring our facilities are the class of our conference and region,” said Head Baseball Coach Tod Brown. “It’s really going to tie the stadium together, and our team is very excited.”
The new softball bleachers will be comprised of five connected sections with 152 chairbacks, 559 bleachers seats, plus eight accessible seats for a total of 719 new seats behind home plate. The outfield seating shaded by the large cottonwoods will remain in place at Lobo Softball Field.
“Thank you to everyone who helped get this project started,” said Head Softball Coach Nicole Orgeron. “I’m excited and grateful, and our team is too. It’s really going to help promote our fan experience this spring.”
The general contractor for both projects is Norcon of New Mexico, a local New Mexico firm. The lead architect is Molzen Corbin, a New Mexican architectural and engineering firm. The total project cost is estimated at $2.8 million. The project is funded by a combination of privately fundraised dollars, institutional funding, and capital outlay funding appropriated by the New Mexico Legislature.
About Norcon Construction
Norcon New Mexico, LLC is a full-service firm specializing in educational, institutional, hospitality, church, and commercial projects and has operated independently in New Mexico since 2003.
About Molzen Corbin
Molzen Corbin is a New Mexico–based engineering and architectural firm that has served communities across the state since 1960. For more than 20 years, Molzen Corbin has partnered with the University of New Mexico to deliver comprehensive architectural and engineering services, including support for major campus initiatives. This long-standing relationship has contributed to many of UNM’s signature facilities, such as the expansion and renovation of University Arena - The Pit, the Indoor Football Practice Facility, Tow Diehm Athletic Facility Renovation, McKinnon Family Tennis Center, Lobo Golf Practice Facility, End Zone Club at University Stadium, and Student Success Center.