Washburn University Athletics

The Washburn Ichabods have played every season of action at the Washburn Softball Complex which was renamed to Gahnstrom Field by the Washburn Board of Regents at its meeting on Oct. 29, 2020, in honor of Bill and Emilie Gahnstrom and their generous support to the Washburn softball program. (See full release here).

Prior to the 2001 season, the facility underwent its first major upgrade since the first season of 1970.  

A new press box was constructed with restrooms, concession stands, training table and storage on the lower level and a working press area on the second level. Before the start of play in the 2002 season, the facility was completed with the addition of a public address system.

The complex houses two fields with the 200 foot fence down the lines and 210 feet to center. Each field has two separate microphone systems for announcing.

The past 21 seasons, the Ichabods have enjoyed great success playing at home compiling a 216-114 (.656) record. The first game played in the complex with the new press box was a doubleheader sweep over Bethany winning 13-0 and 8-0. The first run was scored by Stacie Carpenter who scored via the first hit - a home run by Katie Schmidt in the second inning.

Prior to the start of the 2020 season the field became the third in the MIAA to have a completely turfed field. The facility upgrades also include new fencing, bullpens and batting cages added to the new dugouts that were added prior to the 2019 season along with a net backstop and padding. Additional bleachers were installed prior to the 2020 season and in the spring of 2014, a new 36-foot LED scoreboard was installed for use replacing the original scoreboard. 

New lights were installed prior to the 2021 season at the field.