Selby Stadium

Selby Stadium. It is the primary athletic stadium for Ohio Wesleyan University, located on its campus in Delaware, Ohio. Originally opened in 1929 as Selby Field, the facility was extensively renovated and renamed in 2016. The stadium serves as the home venue for the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops football, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, and track and field teams, anchoring the university's North Coast Athletic Conference athletics program.

History

The stadium was constructed in 1929 through a generous gift from Harmon S. Selby, a prominent alumnus and member of the Ohio Wesleyan University Board of Trustees. Its initial construction coincided with a period of significant growth for collegiate athletics following World War I. For decades, Selby Field was a central gathering place for the Delaware, Ohio community and the university, hosting countless Ohio Athletic Conference contests before the institution joined the North Coast Athletic Conference. The venue's historical significance is tied to legendary Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops coaches like Branch Rickey, who coached baseball and football at the university before his transformative career in Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Facilities

The stadium complex features a main grandstand on the west side with permanent seating and press facilities, overlooking the synthetic FieldTurf playing surface installed in 2016. The field is lined for football and lacrosse and is encircled by a nine-lane, all-weather track and field oval certified by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Ancillary facilities include team locker rooms, athletic training areas, and concessions. The stadium's design integrates with adjacent athletic venues like Branch Rickey Arena and the Pfeiffer Natatorium, forming a core part of the Ohio Wesleyan University athletics precinct.

Events

Selby Stadium primarily hosts NCAA Division III athletic events for the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops, including regular-season and postseason contests in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Beyond collegiate sports, the stadium has been a site for Ohio High School Athletic Association championship events, particularly in lacrosse and track and field. It has also hosted community events, concerts, and university ceremonies such as commencement. The stadium served as a neutral-site venue for the NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship tournament on multiple occasions, bringing teams from across the country to Delaware, Ohio.

Renovations

The first major renovation occurred in 1998, which included upgrades to seating, lighting, and the track surface. The most comprehensive transformation began in 2015 and was completed in 2016, funded by a lead gift from alumni Tom and Marsha Bieber. This project replaced the natural grass and cinder track with modern FieldTurf and a polyurethane track, installed new lighting and sound systems, and added improved accessibility features. This renovation prompted the official name change from Selby Field to Selby Stadium, reflecting its modernized, multi-sport functionality and ensuring its continued role as a premier facility within the North Coast Athletic Conference.

See also

* Ohio Wesleyan University * North Coast Athletic Conference * NCAA Division III * Branch Rickey

Category:Football venues in Ohio Category:NCAA Division III football venues Category:Track and field venues in Ohio Category:Buildings and structures in Delaware County, Ohio