City Bank Clubhouse - The single largest project involved in the Hays Field renovation was the construction of the City Bank Clubhouse, which sits down the left field line. Included in the City Bank Clubhouse are coach’s offices, a coach’s locker room, an athletic training room, an umpire locker room, laundry facilities, three hundred foot batting cages, and the team’s locker room. The batting cage area features a state-of-the art netting system, which allows for a variety of hitting options. Though the Chaps use both the long and short cages quite frequently, on days when weather prevents practice on the field, the cages can be arranged so that the players can get live at-bats with the pitchers throwing from the indoor mounds or even take ground balls. The Chaps’ locker room contains a lounge area where the team is free to hang out and enjoy the card tables, couches, and television.

The 8,000 square foot facility, which now houses the entire Lubbock Christian University Chaparral Baseball Program, was made possible by a generous donation from City Bank, a financial institution based in Lubbock that has been a long-time supporter of LCU and West Texas athletics.

Hays Field - Originally dedicated on April 29, 1978 as Chaparral Stadium, Hays Field is considered one of the premier collegiate diamonds between Austin and Albuquerque. In 1999, Chaparral Stadium was renamed Hays Field to honor the L.D., Pearl, Larry, and Daren Hays families for their dedication and commitment to the ideals and values of Lubbock Christian University.

Since 1978, several improvements have been made to the stadium. Lights were installed in 1981, and a cyclone-type fence was erected prior to the 1985 season. Although Hays Field adopted its Astroturf infield two years after it opened, new turf was added in 1999 along with a new inning by inning scoreboard. The 8 foot outfield fence is now made of cinder block with a 14 foot centerfield hitting backdrop and a 10 foot crushed brick warning track.

Occupying four acres on the southern end of the Lubbock Christian University campus, Hays Field hosted the NAIA Area II Tournament in its first year and was the site of the 1981, 1982, and 1983 NAIA World Series. Additionally, it hosted the 1987 Area II Tournament, the District VIII Tournaments in 1987 and 1991, and the 1999 NAIA Southern Regional Baseball Tournament, and the 2006 Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament.

The playing dimensions of Hays Field measure 340 feet down the lines, 380 feet to the power alleys, and 400 feet to straight away center. There are approximately 1,500 permanent stadium seats located behind home plate with additional bleacher seating for up to 3,000 down both base lines.

Hays Field began undergoing its most recent and extensive renovation in January 2005. The 1.2 million dollar revitalization project was designed to help Hays Field maintain its status as one of the premier college baseball facilities in the southwestern portion of the United States.

Although the press box already incorporated a public address system, electronic scoreboard, and media broadcasting room, the renovation has doubled the size of the box to improve game administration. Two private broadcast booths now sit beside the expanded game administration area, and a hospitality room for meetings, luncheons, and other special events now overlooks the Hays Field courtyard.

In addition, the renovation remodeled the rest rooms, more than doubling their size, and updated the concession stand, which is now a full-service facility and doubles as a gift shop selling Lubbock Christian University Chaparral Baseball attire.

The most striking feature to those who head to Hays field for the first time is the red brick facade, consistent with the newest trend of Lubbock Christian University architecture. Designed in the tradition of the nostalgic Major League Ballparks, and Ranger’s Ballpark in Arlington in particular, the Hays Field press box comes complete with matching ticket booth and professional landscaping.

Rip Griffin Center - Officially dedicated on October 9, 2000, the Rip Griffin Center is designed to serve a myriad of purposes at Lubbock Christian University. It houses LCU’s intercollegiate athletic program, top-notch volleyball and basketball courts, coach’s offices, locker rooms, a VIP-conference and hospitality room, training room, weight room, and concession area.

Seating capacity is 1,950 for sporting events, but with the addition of chairs on the floor, the Rip can comfortably seat almost 3,000 people, making it an excellent place to host graduation ceremonies, concerts, and stage productions.

Located at the corner of 26th Street and Chicago Avenue, The Rip has served as the home court for all indoor LCU athletic competitions over the past ten years.  In addition, the Rip has hosted the Sooner Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournament, the NAIA Region VI and National Volleyball Tournaments, as well as countless other UIL sponsored events.

The Rip Griffin Center is named after Lubbock Christian University Hall of Honor member B.R. “Rip” Griffin, a former secretary of the LCU Board of Trustees, whose generous donation of $500,000, made possible the $4,200,000, 51,500 square foot facility, which was constructed as part of the $18.9 million dollar “Cornerstones 2000 Campaign” that helped to prepare LCU for continued success in the 21st century.

The walls of The Rip feature banners in remembrance of LCU championships won since joining the Sooner Athletic Conference in 1995.  Since that time, the men’s basketball team has made three trips to the NAIA National Tournament and won one SAC title while the women have likewise won one SAC title, along with making four trips to the NAIA National Tournament.  Adding to their list of accomplishments, the Lady Chaps hoisted a National Finalist banner from the 2005-06 season.

In addition to housing the LCU Athletic Department and prominently displaying the championships LCU has earned in the past, the Rip also embodies the spirit and mission of Lubbock Christian University. Buried underneath center court are two objects: a steel Chaparral and a silver cross. The Chaparral, as LCU’s mascot, symbolizes LCU’s competitive spirit and sense of community, while the cross is a constant reminder that LCU’s first commitment is to Christ and Christian duty.

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