With Bosse Field turning 100 years old on June 17, we at UE Athletics wanted to take a look back at our role in the history of the iconic ballpark.

Believe it or not, there was actually a time when Bosse Field was facing the end. Like a trailing ballclub in the bottom of the ninth, there didn't appear to be many options for the aging stadium.

With the Evansville Triplets, the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, leaving town in 1984, the then 69 year old ballpark was noticeably breaking down.  Not only was the facility without a full time tenant, but Bosse Field was also facing a lot more issues.

Former UE baseball head coach Jim Brownlee saw those difficulties but also saw an opportunity.

"When the Triplets left and went to Nashville, we inherited this ballpark," said Brownlee. "Bosse Field was not in very good shape. The city was really getting ready to condemn it. It needed a new roof and new everything. We convinced the city with the friends of Bosse Field that we could raise money and restore it. They were kind enough to let us do it."

UE baseball began playing all their home games at Bosse Field in 1985 and hosted many contests and tournaments until moving back on campus in 1999. The move was noticeable right away as Evansville was 18-8 at Bosse Field in the very first season.

Andy Benes, a Purple Aces pitcher from 1986 to 1988 and arguably one of the best pitchers in program history, remembers his time at Bosse Field fondly.

"It has a lot of character and a lot of great things have happened in that stadium," said Benes, who was a special dignitary for the 100^th Anniversary celebration. "Just to be able to go out there and be with the people who had the privilege of playing there is pretty cool."

By having a home ballpark of Bosse's caliber, UE was able to also increase their recruiting efforts.

"The two things that really affect you in coaching are good players and facilities," added Brownlee. "If you don't have those, you aren't going to win. So when we moved (to Bosse Field), that changed the whole makeup of our program and who we were able to recruit. We got in there with the big boys and we were able to go and get the Benes and the Rob Maurers of the world."

By playing at Bosse Field, the program now secured the more talented players like Benes, the #1 overall pick of the San Diego Padres in the 1988 MLB draft, Maurer, who played two seasons for the Texas Rangers, and Sal Fasano, an 11 year catcher at the big league level. 

Evansville was 224-118 in home games at Bosse Field for a .655 winning percentage.

Stay tuned to GoPurpleAces.com this week for Bosse Field Through UE Eyes.