University of Texas Facilities: UFCU Disch-Falk Field
- Baseball fan guide
- Seating diagram
- Parking map
- Area accessibility map
- Overview, accessibility and parking
- Physical address: 1300 E. MLK Blvd., Austin TX 78722
Ironically, the facility widely recognized as one of the best collegiate baseball parks in America is barely recognizable. UFCU Disch-Falk Field, which in 2009 begins its 35th season of hosting Texas Baseball, has gone through a massive two-year renovation.
On Aug. 1, 2006, University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) secured naming rights to the facility. In exchange for the naming rights, UFCU is contributing $13.1 million over 15 years toward the retirement of debt that is financing the recently-completed renovation of the facility.
The renovation of UFCU Disch-Falk Field added a plethora of new seating opportunities. The lower bowl was expanded 135 feet down each foul line and field-level box seats were added between the dugouts, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. The field also features a seating berm down the left-field line and an observation patio down the right-field line. The new design also incorporates 11 suites, making UFCU Disch-Falk Field a premier business entertainment destination.
One of the main goals of the renovation was to improve the amenities for the fans and offer a more enjoyable game-day experience. This season, spectators will spend less time waiting and more time watching their beloved Longhorns. The improved UFCU Disch-Falk Field boasts more than double the amount of concession areas, box office windows and restrooms.
Improving the aesthetics of UFCU Disch-Falk Field was also taken into consideration for the renovation. The venue features an enclosed concourse twice the size of the previous concourse, with approximately 20 feet added to the width. The stadium also features a brick and glass façade similar to that used in the renovations of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The players are benefiting greatly from the renovation as well. New locker rooms, skills development area and batting cages were part of the facelift at UFCU Disch-Falk Field, as well as new strength and conditioning, athletic training and team meeting areas.
A FieldTurf playing surface was added in the fall of 2008 to replace the fading Astroturf.
In addition to improving the appearance of the stadium, the renovation is helping fans see and hear the game better with the addition of a state-of-the-art sound system and a new lighting system that sets UFCU Disch-Falk Field aglow for night games. The expanded press box allows for more media and makes the facility a more attractive choice for nationally-televised games.
Prior to the renovations, a new scoreboard and video screen were erected during the 2005 season, giving Texas access to the latest technology to enhance the stadium environment.
UFCU Disch-Falk Field, named for two former Longhorns coaches -- the late Billy Disch and the late Bibb Falk -- was authorized in 1973 when it became apparent that the main campus of The University needed the land occupied by Clark Field.
The field was completed in time for the 1975 season, and it opened on Feb. 17, 1975, when the eventual National Champion Longhorns swept a doubleheader from St. Mary's by scores of 4-0 and 11-0. The field was dedicated on April 19, 1975, when the Longhorns swept a doubleheader from TCU by scores of 18-3 and 14-0.
UFCU Disch-Falk Field was originally completed at a cost of $2.5 million and the artificial surface in the infield area was replaced in the summer of 1979. Entirely new artificial surfaces were installed in 1985 and 1999 before the FieldTurf addition in the fall of 2008.
The top crowd to see a collegiate game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field came during the NCAA Central Regional Tournament on May 19, 1982 when 8,000 fans watched the Longhorns defeat Oklahoma. The largest crowd, however, watched an exhibition game between the Longhorns and the Texas Rangers on April 5, 1977. About 10,000 fans, some of whom sat on the roped off warning track in the outfield, attended the record-setting game.
The outfield fence is 10 feet high (20 feet in centerfield), with dimensions being 340 feet down the left field line, 325 to right field and 400 to straightaway center field. In the power alleys, it drops off quickly from 405 feet to 375 feet. The left field foul line runs almost due north and the right field foul line runs almost due east.
