LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tharaldson Park, the home softball stadium for North Dakota State University, was named the NCAA Division I winner of the 2020 Netting Professionals NFCA Field of the Year award, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Friday, Nov. 6.

The award, made possible by NFCA official sponsor Netting Professionals, recognizes the top fields/stadiums in the nation for their flawless grounds maintenance and exceptional playing surfaces. These locations are selected by the NFCA Awards Committee for six different levels of softball from high school through NCAA Division I.

Tharaldson Park was dedicated in 2018 after a $2 million renovation to the on-campus stadium, which has been home to Bison softball since 1996. The project included installation of FieldTurf across the entire playing surface, bullpens and batting cages along with a fully padded outfield wall and bleacher seating down the right-field line.

Stadium seating capacity is 735 including a new grandstand with 552 chair-back seats behind home plate. The facility also includes a new 10-person press box with two broadcasting booths, a camera platform, and a new Daktronics 10-inning scoreboard and sound system.

North Dakota State is slated to host the Summit League championship tournament in 2021 for the ninth time in program history. The Bison have advanced to NCAA Division I regionals 10 of the past 11 years including an NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2009.