Patty Gasso Rethinks Holding a Sooners Softball Game at OU’s Football Stadium After Facing Unexpected Hurdles
For years, Oklahoma softball head coach Patty Gasso has not only dominated on the field but has also redefined what success looks like in collegiate softball. Her ambition has never been confined to championships alone; she has long been a pioneer for expanding the visibility, respect, and reach of women’s athletics. So when she floated the idea of hosting a softball game inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium—home of OU football—it seemed entirely on brand: bold, visionary, and destined to succeed.
But in a stunning update, Gasso recently announced that she is rethinking the plan. After months of internal discussions, site assessments, and logistical analysis, Gasso admitted that pulling off such a monumental event is more complicated than initially imagined.
While not entirely closing the door on the dream, Gasso acknowledged that a series of unexpected hurdles have cooled the momentum behind what could have been one of the most historic nights in the history of women’s college sports.
A Big Dream Rooted in Big Ambitions
Patty Gasso’s vision was inspired by similar ventures across collegiate athletics. Most notably, Nebraska volleyball made headlines in 2023 by packing over 92,000 fans into Memorial Stadium for an outdoor match—setting a global attendance record for a women’s sporting event. Gasso, ever attuned to ways of growing her sport, saw a similar opportunity in Norman.
“I think we could fill it,” she said confidently in a previous interview. “Our fan base is that passionate. Our players have earned that kind of stage.”
Indeed, OU softball has become a juggernaut unlike anything previously seen in the college softball landscape. With six national championships under her belt—including a staggering four in the last five years—Gasso’s program has transcended the sport. Ticket demand has consistently outstripped supply at Marita Hynes Field, even when OU upgraded seating and amenities.
It felt only natural: if Nebraska volleyball could pull off a spectacle of that magnitude, why not Oklahoma softball?
Reality Hits: The Logistical Challenges
However, as Gasso and her staff dove deeper into the logistics, the dream began to meet the hard truths of reality.
First and foremost, constructing a regulation-sized softball field on a football stadium’s turf proved extremely challenging. Football fields are 120 yards long (including end zones) and about 53 yards wide. While this accommodates a volleyball court easily with added space for fans, a full softball field—complete with regulation base paths, pitching circle, and especially an outfield fence—requires far more space and proper grading.
“It’s not as simple as laying down some dirt and putting up bases,” Gasso admitted. “You have to think about mound elevation, drainage, outfield distances, and fence safety. And all of that while protecting the football field we share with one of the biggest programs in the country.”
Additionally, there were concerns about weather. Unlike volleyball, which can tolerate a little wind or colder temperatures, softball is more vulnerable to rain, storms, and muddy conditions. Spring weather in Oklahoma is notoriously volatile. A rained-out event after months of preparation and millions of dollars in investment would be devastating.
And then there’s the cost. Estimates ranged well into the seven figures to transform the stadium, secure permits, pay staff, rent temporary facilities, and restore the football field to game-ready condition afterward.
“It’s not just about the event itself,” Gasso emphasized. “It’s about the ripple effects. How would this impact spring football? How do we ensure the safety of both softball players and football players?”
The Opening of Love’s Field Changes the Equation
While grappling with these obstacles, another major development unfolded: the completion of Love’s Field.
The brand-new $47 million softball complex is a dream realized in itself. With a capacity of about 4,200 and state-of-the-art facilities, Love’s Field is one of the premier softball venues in the country. It represents a monumental upgrade from Marita Hynes Field and a huge leap forward for the Sooners’ program.
Opening Love’s Field changed the equation for Gasso. With thousands of more fans now able to attend games and a world-class experience tailored specifically for softball, the urgency to seek out an even bigger temporary venue lessened.
“I walk through Love’s Field and I get emotional,” Gasso said. “It’s everything we dreamed about and more. It deserves to be our stage, our home.”
Why pour resources into a one-night experiment when the team now has a permanent home befitting its dominance?
Fans React: Disappointment, But Understanding
News of Gasso rethinking the football stadium event spread quickly across social media and message boards. Reactions were mixed but largely understanding.
“I would have loved to see them fill the stadium,” tweeted one fan. “But I get it. Love’s Field is beautiful and it’s built for this team.”
Others noted that the complications were too significant to ignore.
“I work in stadium operations,” posted another commenter. “I can tell you firsthand: what Nebraska volleyball pulled off was amazing but incredibly hard. Doing that with a full-size softball field would be next-level difficult. Gasso’s smart to reconsider.”
Still, a few fans held out hope that the dream could still become reality someday, perhaps with more planning or advances in temporary field technology.
“Never say never,” Gasso teased. “Just… maybe not right now.”
A Bigger Picture: The Legacy of Pushing Boundaries
In many ways, this entire saga reflects the essence of Patty Gasso’s legacy—not the event itself, but the willingness to think bigger for women’s sports.
When Gasso arrived at Oklahoma in 1995, softball was a niche sport even within the university community. Over three decades later, it’s a national obsession. Sellouts, ESPN primetime slots, and endless youth interest across Oklahoma and beyond testify to how far the sport has come.
Considering hosting a softball game inside a football stadium—even seriously getting into the planning phases—is evidence of how much ground has been gained.
“There was a time when we were just hoping to fill our little bleachers,” Gasso reflected. “Now we’re talking about needing a football stadium to fit everyone. That’s progress you can’t measure in wins and losses.”
Gasso continues to push for bigger TV deals for the sport, higher coaching salaries across the nation, and investments into facilities that match the commitment shown to male athletes. In doing so, she’s not just building a dynasty at Oklahoma—she’s reshaping the entire landscape of college athletics.
What’s Next?
In the short term, Patty Gasso and the Sooners are focused on continuing their dominance on the diamond at Love’s Field. Early returns suggest that the new stadium is every bit the home-field advantage OU hoped it would be.
Recruiting remains red-hot, and the Sooners are favored once again to compete for another national title.
As for a football stadium softball game? Gasso leaves the door slightly ajar for the future.
“If the timing’s right, the weather’s right, the logistics line up—maybe we revisit it,” she said. “I’m never going to stop dreaming big. It’s just who we are.