TUCSON, Ariz. -- On Tuesday, Arizona Athletics held the official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium, thanking those most instrumental in the offseason complete renovation of the now state-of-the-art facility.

University of Arizona Director of Athletics Dave Heeke, University of Arizona President Robert Robbins, Arizona head softball coach Mike Candrea and senior designated player Tamara Statman all took the microphone and thanked those who spent countless hours and those who put in extraordinary effort into the funding, designing and construction of the stadium, as well as those who helped donate the money to turn the dream into a reality.

Heeke, Dr. Robbins and Candrea were joined by the Hillenbrand family, the donors that funded the original Hillenbrand Stadium back in 1993 that stood for a quarter of a century as the mecca of college softball, to officially cut the ribbon and help usher in a new era of Arizona softball. This was the second ribbon that was cut for the renovated stadium after Heeke, Robbins, Candrea and Doby Hillenbrand cut a ceremonious ribbon for the stadium's grand re-opening on a rained-out Opening Day on Feb. 14. Tonight's dedication was an official recognition of those who helped in the project as well as an homage to Arizona softball's rich and storied tradition.