GRAND FORKS — It was time to put Albrecht Field through some tests Friday night. First, the video board turned on. It played premade videos and showed a live shot of UND's new on-campus softball complex.
Then, it came time for the sound check. Jim Cornelison, the Chicago Blackhawks national anthem singer, grabbed the microphone. He walked a couple feet in front of home plate and belted out the national anthem.
His booming voice carried across University Avenue, where fraternity members paused their Friday night lawn activities to listen. They cheered in approval when he finished. Yes, the sound system works, too.
Albrecht Field opens to the public Saturday night, when UND takes on Northwest Missouri State in a fall softball contest at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.
m. Admission is free and parking is available at the Memorial Union ramp and the EERC building. The opening will have plenty of festivities around it.
The Pride of the North marching band and UND spirit squads will perform. There will be a flyover. And, yes, Cornelison will perform the national anthem.
The complex's lead donors, Dave and Alexa Albrecht, gave Cornelison a tour Friday after he flew in from Chicago. "I'll watch women's fastpitch on television sometimes — on the Big Ten Network," said Cornelison, who has two daughters. "I've always liked fast patch.
When I got the call about coming up here to do this, I thought, 'Oh wow, that's just awesome.' And then to see the field, it's beautiful and it just elevates.