Briar Cliff University announced during the university’s homecoming celebrations a history-making game for the baseball program: playing on the iconic Field of Dreams original movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. Briar Cliff will be the first college to play on the field and they have chosen Luther College in Decorah, Iowa as their opponent. The contest will be held September 16, 2022.
“We encourage our university team to dream BIG, and our alumni office and baseball program did just that,” shares Dr. Rachelle Keck, President of Briar Cliff University. “This game will be historic – not just for Briar Cliff University and Luther College, but also for the Field of Dreams. We are proud to be the first college teams to take the field.”
The Field of Dreams became a notable landmark in Iowa after the movie was released in 1989, inspiring millions. Released by Universal Pictures, the movie starred Kevin Costner and became an Academy Award nominee for “Best Picture of the Year.” Major League Baseball hosted a Yankees vs. White Sox game at the site in August this year, the first-ever regular-season game to be played in Iowa. The game included special guest Costner himself and drew over 5.9 million viewers.
“Our baseball program has had some exciting growth over the past year. Playing on this field is a dream come true for our student-athletes,” shares Nic Scandrett, Vice President of Athletics and Operations at Briar Cliff University. “This is an experience like no other – and this program deserves it. They study hard in the classroom and work hard on the field.”
Briar Cliff’s baseball program has been drawing attention in recent months. The program facilities have undergone a nearly $600k transformation, including a new infield turf completed in March 2021 – the first to turf in Siouxland. During the spring season, the Chargers ended with a 34-20 overall mark, with eight players on all-GPAC teams and one named NAIA all-American. The program has also hosted training camps with MLB scouts to help inspire area athletes.
Luther College ended its spring season with record of 32-16. The Norse made their sixth appearance in the NCAA III National Tournament.
“We are thrilled to play in this historic game with Briar Cliff. Playing on the Field of Dreams is something our players probably never thought they would get the chance to do,” shares Bryan Nikkel, Baseball Head Coach at Luther College. “As they run out onto that iconic field and feel their spikes dig into the dirt, this game will undoubtedly bring them back to the reasons they play baseball, a sport that has created so many opportunities for all of us, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is no different.”
“To paraphrase an oft-repeated line from the movie, ‘If you build it, they will come.; Briar Cliff is proud to go to the Field of Dreams,” adds Corby McGlauflin, Baseball Head Coach at Briar Cliff University, “and we are thrilled to help make this dream come true for our students, fans, and alumni.”
