April 10, 2008
Notre Dame head coach Deanna Gumpf
On the program’s final game played at Ivy Field…
“It doesn’t seem like I’m never coming back (to play here at Ivy Field). We’ve talked about the new stadium and having it is a dream come true, but sometimes it feels like this really isn’t happening. I just hugged Lloyd Miller (husband of former softball head coach Liz Miller) and we both got teary eyed because this is last time that we’re ever going to be here together. It’s actually a little more emotional than I thought it would be.”
On moving into Melissa Cook Stadium…
“We can’t wait. In all my years of being involved with softball as a player and a coach, this will be the time I’ve been in a facility with a lockerroom – and I’m almost 40 years old. That tells you where we’ve been and where the success of this program has taken itself. Players want to play in the best facilities and fans want to watch teams in the best facilities. That’s what I expect with the new stadium – to get the best players here and for great fans to come out and watch them.”
Former Irish assistant coach and longtime public announcer Lloyd Miller
On the final game at Ivy Field…
“It’s exciting but sad at the same time. A lot of my memories from Notre Dame are right here on Ivy Field. I saw a lot of good kids come through here and a lot of unbelievable talent play here, and it’s just something that is going to be special to me forever. (Melissa Cook Stadium) will help Notre Dame softball gain recognition on a national level. Melissa Cook Stadium is nothing but first-class. I had the opportunity to go through it earlier today and it is just absolutely unbelievable.”
Senior Katie Laing
On playing at Ivy Field…
“Ivy Field has been great and we have left a lot of great memories here, some amazing wins and many others, but I think we are all just so excited to be in the new stadium.”
Senior Sarah Smith
On Melissa Cook Stadium…
“We are excited to start something new and being in the new stadium is going to bring a lot of people, recruits and positives to Notre Dame athletics.”
Sophomore Christine Lux
On tying the single-game school record with seven RBI…
“It felt really nice. I had been struggling at the plate for a couple games and it felt good to finally just break out of my slump. There were some good pitches and I just put some good swings on them.”
On the team’s final game at Ivy Field…
“We have so many memories here at Ivy Field. It was great to get two solid wins to end its career. We just hope to take that momentum and bring it over to Melissa Cook Stadium and start off another great tradition there.”