New Look, New Features, New Name

On November 16, 2011, a new and improved Clark Field turf and track reopened following a $4 million renovation project made possible through $3 million in private gifts and $1 million from Recreational Sports. The newly renovated facility has been renamed the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field in honor of former chairman of the Texas System Board of Regents and University alumni H. Scott Caven Jr. and his wife, Vivien, who made the first significant gift to launch the renovation.

H. Scott Caven Jr.

H. Scott Caven Jr. has had a long and distinguished relationship with The University of Texas and he remains an avid supporter. One of Mr. Caven’s most significant contributions was his service of six years on The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Appointed by Governor Rick Perry in February 2003, he was elected chairman of the board in 2007. While a regent, he served on the Academic Affairs Committee, the Finance and Planning Committee, the Health Affairs Committee, and the Facilities Planning and Construction Committee. Mr. Caven chaired the Task Force on Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Aid and served as chairman of the board of directors of The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO).

Today, Mr. Caven serves as chairman of the U.T. System Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee, is a life member of the U.T. Austin McCombs School Advisory Council, a founding member of the Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Cowboys Alumni Association. An alumnus of the University of Texas, Mr. Caven earned both a B.B.A. and L.L.B. and has been active in campus-related organizations including the McCombs School of Business Advisory Council and the U.T. Austin Business School Foundation. In private life, Mr. Caven is managing director and regional manager for Texas of Atlantic Trust Company, NA, a private wealth management firm.

The Caven Family’s Legacy

The Cavens’ desire to upgrade the field, make it more accessible to students and redevelop it to accommodate lacrosse club sports, was done in memory of their son, Scotty Caven, a University of Texas Plan II Honors student whose athletic passion was lacrosse, and in honor of the many Caven family members who have been involved with the University for more than 90 years.

Completed Project

The renovated field includes a new synthetic turf, refurbished track, new exercise stations and new pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek. The pedestrian bridge links the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field with the Recreational Sports Center. The renovated facility offers opportunities for informal recreation and provides UT sport clubs such as Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse with space for practice and competition.

Dedication Ceremony

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Renovation Features

• 2.3 acres of synthetic turf
• 444-yard recreational jogging track
• 10 exercise stations
• 2 gender-neutral restrooms
• Day-use lockers
• Drinking fountains & bottle-filling station
• Flag plaza
• Pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek
• Wireless scoreboard
• Security lighting from dusk to dawn
• Support storage building
• Lightning detection system
• Vending machines

Clark Field in the 1930s

Clark Field ca. 1980

Clark Field ca. 2004

Known as Varsity Athletic Field when it was constructed in 1887, Clark Field has relocated four times over the years. It is the last remaining “green” space on campus and is used heavily by students and RecSports members for jogging, basketball and field sports. The facility has a long and storied history on the UT-Austin campus, including these important milestones:

1887 — Varsity Athletic Field constructed at 24th Street and Speedway

1904 — Varsity Field renamed Clark Field after Judge James B. Clark, who had served as a member of the Board of Regents, Proctor, Librarian and Secretary of the Faculty

1924 — Baseball team plays at Clark Field; the football and track teams relocate to Memorial Stadium

1927 — Baseball team moves to “new” Clark Field, just north of Memorial Stadium at Red River and 23rd Streets

1974 — Clark Field closes to make room for the Performing Arts Center

1975 — Clark Field name transferred to the area known since 1928 as Freshman Field, located east of Waller Creek between 19th and 21st streets

1980 — Clark Field renovation adds basketball courts, racquetball courts, exercise stations and a track

1999 — Construction of San Jacinto Hall dormitory forces the elimination of the racquetball courts and relocation of the basketball courts

2001 — Clark Field reopens in its current location with four outdoor basketball courts, a quarter-mile free-form track, four fitness stations, and a turf area for play

2011 —Major renovation is completed and the complex is renamed the Caven Lacrosse and Sports Center at Clark Field