In the spring of 1995, UT and the City of Knoxville entered into an agreement providing that UT could construct a women’s softball field that met NCAA stadium standards and a practice field in Tyson Park. UT had exclusive use of the field during the academic year, while the facility was shared with city activities during the summer. UT had a five-year lease with options to renew.
UT constructed a facility (at a cost of $485,000) that included a press box, a public address system, an electronic scoreboard, restroom facilities, a souvenir and concession stand, and an equipment room. The grounds were lighted, and the playing surface featured total field irrigation. Two 55-foot batting cages were behind the first base dugout, and bullpens were behind both dugouts. The stadium’s capacity was one thousand. Tennessee played its first home game at the Tyson Park field on March 7, 1996 (UT 10, Purdue 7).
In 2004 plans to expand and upgrade the facilities were announced, with UT to defray the cost, but the major gift from Sherri Parker Lee enabled building an on-campus stadium, for which ground was broken October 20, 2006.