DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University was awarded hosting responsibilities for the NCAA Division III Softball National Championships in 2027, the national office announced Wednesday, October 2.
“We are extremely excited to be hosting the softball national tournament in 2027,” Millikin Athletic Director Dr. Craig White said. “When the Workman family made their generous donation, this was part of our plan and our hope. This is a credit to Millikin University and the city of Decatur. I especially want to recognize Sports Information Director Morgan Vogels for the extraordinary effort she put in to make this a reality.”
The Workman Family Softball Field will serve as the venue for the NCAA Division III Softball Championships in May 2027.
Decatur has been the site of the NCAA Championships once before back in 1993. This will serve as only the fifth time that the state of Illinois has hosted NCAA Softball Championships, having also taken place in Elmhurst, Ill. in 1988 and will be held in Bloomington, Ill. by Illinois Wesleyan in May 2025.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without Gary and Judy Workman and their family’s support and vision of having the state-of-the-art softball facility built,” said Co-Head Softball Coaches Katie Tenboer and Whitney Sowers. “We are proud to be able to represent the Millikin community on the national stage.”
In the past three years, the Workman Family Softball Field has been the host of NCAA Championship events, including the six-team NCAA regional in 2021 and for regional and super-regional rounds in 2022 amid the Big Blue’s run to the final eight in Salem, Va.
The Association chose over 240 host sites for preliminary and final rounds of predetermined championships across Divisions I, II and III, primarily for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. This cycle marked a shift from a four-year to a two-year site selection process.
To arrange media coverage, contact Millikin University Sports Information Director Morgan Vogels at 217.424.5025 or mvogels@millikin.edu.
About Workman Family Softball Field
Located at 390 North Oakland Avenue in Decatur, the Workman Family Softball Field has been the home of Millikin Big Blue Softball since being built in 2017.
The facility was made possible by a generous $2 million contribution from Millikin University Trustee Gary Workman ’65 and his wife, Judy. The Workman Family Softball Field features an artificial turf infield and outfield surface, lights, chair back and bleacher seating for 150 people, dugouts, batting cages, restrooms, concessions area, and press box.
