In late February, CSUN Baseball played the first home night games in school history, as the university debuted a brand-new lighting system — part of an ongoing renovation and expansion of their home field.
The lights, installed during the offseason, will illuminate 15 of 24 games this season, bringing a vastly different experience to CSUN fans. The Matadors recently renamed their home ballpark Robert J. Hiegert Field, in honor of the former coach, the school’s all-time wins leader, who won two NCAA Division II World Series at CSUN. Hiegert (‘64, M.A. ‘68, Physical Education) began his CSUN journey as a student-athlete and worked from 1965 to 1998 in roles as an assistant coach, head coach, faculty member, and director of athletics.
The Matadors finished 1-2 in the home-opening, Feb. 20-22 series (including two night games) against Brigham Young University, with the win coming on Saturday afternoon. The Matadors (2-4) now go on the road before next returning home on March 14 versus UC Irvine.
The new lights are one of the key priorities for upgrading Hiegert Field. The $28.6 million initiative will transform player and fan experiences and enable broader community access to the only Division I baseball program and field in the San Fernando Valley. Last spring, CSUN installed a new Daktronics video scoreboard. The Matadors also recently enhanced the playing-field surface, which is now among the best on the West Coast.
CSUN is currently raising funds to complete many other exciting upgrades to the park that opened in 1961. A new clubhouse, enhanced seating and other improvements will make games even more enjoyable for players and fans. Philanthropy is playing a key role in the updates, spearheaded by alumnus Irv Zakheim ’72 (Physical Education).
The renovation will boost player recruitment for an ascendent Matador team competing for championships in the Big West Conference. CSUN is coming off its third consecutive 30-win season and its fourth straight winning campaign.
Fans interested in contributing to the growth of the CSUN Baseball program can learn more at GoMatadors.com or by contacting (818) 677-4620.
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