Facilities

Stallings Field at Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Stadium

Built in 2022, Vernon T. Bradley Jr. Stadium is the home of Battling Bishop Football and Lacrosse. A vision created by Athletic Director Aaron Denton and Head Football Coach Jeff Filkovski to get an on campus football and lacrosse stadium, the two changed the landscape of NCWU Football and Lacrosse forever. Over the course of three years, Wesleyan made the switch from Rocky Mount Memorial Stadium, where the team played for nearly a decade, to the new permanent home located on the southeast corner of campus. The state-of-the-art turf field is equipped to host football, lacrosse, and soccer, and has a lighting setup that was installed for teams to have night games and practices with the convenience of being on campus.

The massive project could not have been made possible without the help of Vernon T. Bradley Jr. The biggest athletic donor in Wesleyan history stepped up to the plate and gave NCWU a $1 million dollar donation to construct the new field. On April 22, 2022, the ribbon was cut and a new age of Battling Bishop's athletics had begun. The first ever game played at the new stadium took place on September 17th, 2022 against the Eagles from Bridgewater. At the time, it was the highest attend on campus sporting event in school history.

With plans to finish completion of the stadium in the near future, Wesleyan plans on adding a press box, stadium seating, and a brand new field house to finish the project. First Carolina Bank made a second generous donation of $25,000 to the stadium fund on May 9th to help with the four phase project.

If interested in donating to the stadium fund and being a special part of helping Battling Bishop Athletics into a new era, please contact Athletic Director Aaron Denton at adenton@ncwu.edu.

Bauer Field

Bauer Field: A Premier Facility

Nestled on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan University, Bauer Field stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to excellence in athletics. Named in 1988 to honor Dr. Raymond E. Bauer, N.C. Wesleyan’s first baseball coach, the field boasts a storied history and modern amenities that make it one of the finest small college baseball facilities in the nation.

Historical Legacy

Dr. Bauer’s vision for a collegiate baseball diamond came to life in 1961 with the help of local contractors and his players. By the spring of 1962, the field hosted its first game. Over the years, the facility has evolved to reflect the program’s growth and success. In 2005, the Bishops retired Dr. Bauer’s #18 jersey, cementing his legacy as a cornerstone of the university’s baseball tradition.

State-of-the-Art Features

Bauer Field combines charm and functionality, offering features that rival those of larger institutions. The field dimensions—ranging from 324 feet down the lines to 397 feet in center—create a balanced playing environment. The three-foot high brick wall and 40-foot net behind home plate give the facility a classic aesthetic while enhancing safety for spectators.

Enclosed bullpen areas with four-foot elevated benches add a unique touch reminiscent of Fenway Park, while the adjacent left-field clubhouse—constructed in 2015—provides players with locker rooms, showers, and a lounge area that celebrates Wesleyan’s rich baseball history. Coaches’ offices and a manual scoreboard complete the clubhouse complex, adding to the facility’s professional feel.

Fan Experience

Bauer Field caters to fans with two sets of bleachers and a picnic area down the third-base line, giving the field a stadium-like ambiance. The Guzzo Gateway entrance, named for Hall of Famer Tony Guzzo, features restroom facilities and a concession stand conveniently located under the two-story press box. The press box itself houses statisticians, media, and a state-of-the-art sound system, with championship signs proudly displayed on its rear to honor the Bishops’ 1989 and 1999 national titles.

Recent Enhancements

In 2023, the installation of lights marked a new era for Bauer Field, allowing for night games, practices, and the return of NCAA Regionals. The "Light the Field" dedication event celebrated this milestone, with National Champion Jim Pittman delivering the ceremonial first pitch. Later in the spring of 23', Bauer Field host its first NCAA regional since 2006, showcasing its capacity as a top-tier venue.

A covered batting cage, completed in winter 2025, further elevates the facility. Featuring two full batting tunnels, portable mounds, and lighting for 24/7 use, this addition ensures players can train year-round, regardless of weather conditions.

Impeccable Grounds

The field’s hybrid Bermuda 419 Tifton grass ensures a pristine playing surface throughout the year. A 13-foot warning track and Rain-Bird irrigation system enhance player safety and field maintenance. The field’s aesthetic is rounded out by a towering 25’x40’ batter’s eye in center field and the iconic "Bauer Field" sign in left field.

A Model for Excellence

Bauer Field is more than a baseball diamond; it’s a comprehensive facility where all baseball operations are housed under one roof. With its blend of history, modern upgrades, and fan-friendly amenities, Bauer Field exemplifies what a premier NCAA Division III baseball venue should be.

Scalf Field

North Carolina Wesleyan's Scalf Field is considered one of the finest Division III facilities in the nation and plays home to our Battling Bishop soccer tams. The game field measures 120 x 80 yards and has a natural hybrid Bermuda tifton grass surface which allows for year round play and gives the field a "golf course" appearance. The dimensions of the field, along with the top quality surface, allow for ideal playing conditions and enjoyment of the game. The complex is located on the south end of campus, nestled between picturesque woods and the field house, which houses team locker rooms.

Recently, the men's soccer locker room underwent a massive renovation in the 2023 offseason with the installation of new lockers, a flat screen tv, and a shoe rack.

Complex Features

Bleachers with a seating capacity of 1,200
Permanent "World Cup" style goals
16 foot Nevco Scoreboard
PA System
State-of-the-art underground sprinkler system
Equipment building and kick wall
Picnic Area
Practice field beside stadium

Edge Field

Edge Field was named in honor of Jean Edge, the first head softball and women’s basketball coach in N.C. Wesleyan history. The field is adjacent to Bauer Baseball Field and measures 190 feet down the lines and 220 feet to center. Edge Field offers Bishop softball players a chance to compete on high-quality infield surface and Bermuda tifton grass outfield. The field also features covered dugouts, bathrooms, and a batting cage down the first bast line. The facility is within brief walking distance of the field house, which also houses our softball locker room.

Coach Edge passed away in July of 2017 and is a Bishop legend. Known as the true matriarch of NCWU women’s athletics, she began the softball program in 1974 and also gained notoriety as the first-ever head coach for the women’s basketball team during the 1976-1977 season. Additionally, her Bishop resume saw her serve as head volleyball coach from 1975 to 1977, and she is the namesake of Edge Auxiliary Gymnasium in the Taylor Center. In addition to her coaching duties, the 1999 NCWU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee enjoyed being a member of the North Carolina Wesleyan faculty.

Everett Gymnasium

Everett Gymnasium and the adjoining Taylor Center house the offices of the North Carolina Wesleyan Department of Athletics and the Exercise Science faculty members. Everett provides a great home court advantage for three Bishop squads: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and women's volleyball.

Built in 1963, the main gymnasium is the home of Don Scalf Court and seats up to 1,200 people, while the the Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. lobby features a large trophy case and concession stand. Everett proudly displays numerous banners earned by our various Bishop athletic squads over the years, as well as four retired jerseys: #44 Roger Taylor (MBB), #11 Jetanna McClain (VB), #41 Terry Wright (MBB) and #35 Misty Carneal (WBB).

In 2022, Everett Gymnasium hosted the USA South Championship game where men's basketball would defeat William Peace to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.

Indoor Sports and Education Facility / Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center

The North Carolina Wesleyan men's and women's tennis teams enjoyed their first matches at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center on Saturday, February 25, 2012. The matches versus Guilford College were played on the original six Vietnam Memorial Courts housed by the Complex, which were resurfaced in the fall of 2011.

The Vietnam Memorial Courts at the Slick Family Foundation Tennis Center honor five of our Wesleyan alumni who gave their lives serving our country: Lt. William Eskridge Gilkeson Bobbit '66, Cpt. Dwaine E. Mattox '66, Lt. William Etchison Zimmerman Jr. '66, Sgt. Paul Mario Nance Jr. '67 and Lt. Clevelan Ray Harvey '69. Five of these original courts have signs designating one of these fallen alum, and at completion, the entrance memorial will feature a granite slab below the flagpoles with names of these heroes prominently displayed.
The Complex also features the Thomas A. Betts Pavilion, which houses locker rooms, public restrooms and a coach's office. An additional six new courts and fencing were completed and dedicated in the fall of 2012.

Play will be open to City of Rocky Mount residents when our Battling Bishop teams and/or intramural programs are not playing.

Recently, the program added the Indoor Sports & Education Center in the summer of 2020. Nicknamed "The Bubble",

The state-of-the-art, approximately 48,000 square foot, air-supported structure featured four tennis courts, classrooms, coaches offices, and a future golf simulator.

The genesis to construct this type of facility formed from a vision to enhance NCWU's athletic programs, mainly tennis, golf and sports conditioning; as well as increase recreational opportunities for the College and entire surrounding community. The vision for this facility captured the attention of several donors and the Nash County Tourism Development Authority. These donors shared a common interest of developing indoor sports, namely tennis and squash. A facility where citizens of our local community, including the underserved, could have the opportunity to learn, play and enjoy. The Nash County Tourism Development Authority envisioned this facility as a destination for yearly visitors to enjoy Nash County as they participate in tournaments and events on a local, regional and national level.

One exciting amenity of this facility IS the squash courts. According to ussquash.com, over 20 million squash players participate regularly in over 185 countries and more than 200 colleges and universities have courts. A previous Forbes study also pronounced squash as the #1 sport for getting and staying fit.

Belmont Lake Golf Club

The North Carolina Wesleyan golf team is proud to call Belmont Lake Golf Club at Rocky Mount its home course. The par-72 course is located directly behind campus and is considered one of the finest courses in eastern North Carolina.

With the opportunity to create a championship golf course that challenges players hole after hole and game after game, The Club turned to David Johnson Golf Design of Atlanta. Our North Carolina course is one that every golfer can enjoy regardless of handicap, and it emphasizes strategic play with the demands on players escalating as you move from the front to the back tees.

The golf course has five sets of tees on each hole, playing 7,085 yards from the back tees and 4,900 yards from the front tees. There is a balance of dogleg lefts, dogleg rights, straight holes, large greens, small greens, and a wonderful variety of hole lengths. The 18th fairway runs along a beautiful 80-acre lake, and two man made ponds heighten the challenge.

The Fortress/The Tower

"The Fortress and The Tower", home to N.C. Wesleyan's Bishop Gaming Association, is a cutting-edge two story eSports facility designed to propel students into the rapidly growing world of competitive gaming and digital media. With its first-class, state-of-the-art technology and thoughtfully designed layout, "The Fortress and The Tower" not only meets but exceeds the needs of eSports enthusiasts and aspiring broadcasters alike.

The facility boasts a fully equipped studio, offering students the perfect environment to practice and hone their broadcasting skills. From live streaming to commentary, this space provides hands-on experience with professional-grade equipment, preparing students for success in the digital entertainment industry.

The gaming area features numerous high-performance gaming PCs, ensuring smooth and immersive gameplay for both casual and competitive gamers. The setup is further complemented by four large TVs, strategically placed to foster group activities, watch parties, and team strategizing sessions. This combination of resources fosters collaboration, creativity, and skill development among students.

"The Fortress and The Tower" embodies N.C. Wesleyan's commitment to staying ahead in the evolving esports landscape. By providing students with access to top-tier technology and ample opportunities to engage in various aspects of gaming culture, the facility serves as a launching pad for future leaders in esports, broadcasting, and beyond.

Whether competing in tournaments, producing content, or simply enjoying recreational gaming, "The Fortress and The Tower" ensures that N.C. Wesleyan students have the tools and resources they need to thrive.