van Steenderen Complex

van Steenderen Softball Complex at a Glance

Address: 910 W. Schwager Dr., Whitewater, WI 53190
Seating Capacity: 350
Named After: Martha van Steenderen

The van Steenderen softball complex is northwest of Williams Center and Kachel Fieldhouse on the north end of campus. The complex underwent extensive renovation in 2009, when a new playing surface, bullpens, dugouts, scoreboard, sound system, bleachers for 350, outfield irrigation system, backstop, outfield fencing, electrical work and three batting cages were added. In 2010 a fountain in a pond outside the center field fence was finished. A misting watering system for the infield was added in 2013. A service building adding a press box, team locker room, coaches’ offices, showers and storage space was completed in 2016.

The renovations have given van Steenderen Field an excellent playing surface and drainage system, important in the spring weather of the upper Midwest. The facility is named for Martha van Steenderen, one of the pioneers of women’s intercollegiate athletics at UW-Whitewater, the WIAC, and the state of Wisconsin.

Van Steenderen was among the first coaches for women’s sports at UW-W and served as the women’s athletic director 1974-86. She served as the first president of the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (now part of the merged WIAC), and taught in UW-W’s physical education program until her retirement in 1990. Van Steenderen has been the site of numerous WIAC and NCAA tournament games, including nine NCAA III regional tournaments.