Our Crowdfunding Groups
During the 2018 season, the softball team could only host four of their 52 games on campus as frequent postponements and relocations left the team at a competitive disadvantage. Part of building this program into a championship caliber involves improving the softball facilities so the team can play more games at home in front of our Washburn fans. Since then, Washburn Athletics and the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation have raised funds to make significant changes to our softball complex. The Washburn University board of regents voted on Oct. 29, 2020 to rename it Gahnstrom Field in honor of Bill and Emilie Gahnstrom and their generous support to the program.
Gahnstrom Field was named 2021 Netting Professionals/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Field of the Year. 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 built 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 36-foot LED scoreboard was installed for use replacing the original scoreboard. New lights were installed prior to the 2021 season at the field. We are thankful to the donors who have made major gifts to the project so far.
Through this crowdfunding project, the softball program is trying to fund the smaller projects. There are lots of expenses associated with a college athletic team, and we are trying to do our part to help raise some needed funds. We would appreciate whatever gift you might be able to give to our program.
Our student athletes are proud to represent Washburn University and our softball program. The Ichabod softball team won the 2022 MIAA regular season championship, making a return to NCAA regional play. Please consider supporting us today. Your gift to the softball team can support the program fund, which meets immediate needs of the team, or the scholarship fund, which allows us to recruit high-caliber student-athletes and reward them for their dedication to the team and academics. Go Bods!
Read more about Washburn Softball.
