The St. John Stadium - Charles Wade-John Lott Field has given the Chanticleers a distinct home field advantage over the years and continues to be one of the top playing surfaces in the Big South and in the area. The Coastal softball program has won over 60 percent of its home contests on the field and have played host to perennial national powers Illinois, LSU, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, Kansas, DePaul, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Michigan State and Georgia Tech.
The field is one of the best in the region with the outfield fence dimensions 200 feet in left, center and right field.
In 1999, the facility got the first of many updates with the addition of lights to the field. The second upgrade to the facility came in 2001-2002 when new brick dugouts and a press box were added. In 2005, Coastal added permanent teal seats with backs for more comfort to enjoy the game. Prior to the 2008 season, a Daktronics scoreboard was unveiled behind the right field fence that features inning-by-inning score lines, as well as a message board.
The latest renovation, part of the $10.2 million project that also expanded the Watson Stadium baseball facility, was completed in 2014. It included the construction of the multi-level building that now serves as softball's headquarters with coaches offices and the team locker room. A press area that includes radio and television booths is located on the second level of the facility, which also features a concession stand, restrooms, team meeting rooms and an athletic training room. The renovation also expanded the grandstands to a capacity of 500 and established several standing room areas along first and third-base lines and in the outfield. The facility also features batting cages and bullpens for practice and warm up.
Heather and Christopher are both Coastal Carolina graduates and regularly attend CCU athletic events. The avid Chanticleer fans also are generous benefactors of their alma mater. Their financial support impacts the campus both athletically and academically.
In recognition of their major financial gift to the CAF, the Chanticleers' softball stadium will be named St. John Stadium April 13, 2019. It marks the first-ever major donation made in support of women's athletics at CCU. The couple also have an endowed scholarship in memory of their first son together, William, who died of Trisomy 13 Syndrome before he was born. The William Abel St. John Scholarship will support students majoring in accounting or finance in CCU's E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration.
DIRECTIONS TO COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
By Air:
Arriving at Myrtle Beach Airport, enter the on-ramp for U.S. 17 North (entering to the right). Stay in the right lane and exit for U.S. 501 North (to Conway). Follow the directions below for U.S. 17 the remainder of the way.
From I-95:
From the South, take S.C. 327 exit to U.S. 76/301 Turn left onto U.S. 76/301. This will become S.C. 576 and then U.S. 501. After passing through Conway, turn right at the second stop light (approximately two miles) into the entrance of Coastal Carolina University. You are now on University Boulevard. To get to the Softball Field, turn right onto Chanticleer Drive West before getting to the baseball Stadium.
From the North, take the "South of the Border" exit. Follow signs to Myrtle Beach and this will lead you to U.S. 501. Then follow the directions above.
From U.S. 17:
Follow U.S. 17 Bypass to U.S. 501 (Conway exit). At this point, you are approximately eight miles from campus. You will pass the stoplight at Conway Hospital and then pass a Food Lion shopping center (on left). Just after passing Horry-Georgetown Technical College, take the next left into the entrance of Coastal Carolina University. See directions above to find athletic facilities.
