Marion to host Oasis Collegiate Classic at new $40M sports complex

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — The Oasis Sports Complex will host nine NCAA Division II softball programs Feb. 27 through March 1 for the inaugural Oasis Collegiate Classic, marking the first collegiate showcase at the new $40 million facility.

The three-day tournament will feature teams from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Wisconsin competing on the complex’s all-turf fields.

Participating programs include Ferris State, UIndy, UMSL, McKendree, Purdue Northwest, Kentucky Wesleyan, Wisconsin-Parkside, Grand Valley State and Lincoln University.

Several teams enter the tournament with national or regional recognition. UIndy is ranked No. 15 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll and was selected first in the Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason poll. McKendree was picked third in the GLVC preseason poll and recently recorded a win over No. 8 West Texas A&M. Grand Valley State was selected second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches’ poll, and Wisconsin-Parkside returns senior Mia Johnson, a 2025 All-American and two-time GLIAC Player of the Year.

The event also features several players with ties to Southern Illinois, including Shelby Cook of Murphysboro and Ella Palm of Aviston on UIndy’s roster, along with multiple McKendree players from the region.

Ralph Santana, general manager of Oasis Sports, said the tournament reflects the complex’s goal of bringing high-level collegiate competition to Southern Illinois.

The Oasis Sports Complex is part of Marion’s Thrillville development district and includes professional lighting, digital scoring and athlete-focused amenities designed to accommodate early-season play regardless of weather conditions.

Organizers said the event is open to the public, and schedules will be released at a later date. Officials hope the Oasis Collegiate Classic becomes an annual early-season event in Marion.