Watch Parts of the Press Conference
PROVO -- Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe today announced the renovation of the soccer stadium at Brigham Young University directly south of the Smith Fieldhouse. The complex will be referred to as the Stadium at South Field.
The project will feature a permanent grandstand of 20 rows that will accommodate 2,140 spectators in chair and bench-back seating. The grandstand is 26 feet high, 216 feet across and 65 feet deep. The complex will also feature a new entrance.
"This is an exciting day for BYU soccer. Both teams have been very successful, and this renovation will enhance their programs and the game-day experience for our fans," said Holmoe. "We would like to express our appreciation to the University and the donors who made this a reality."
The project will begin on March 17 and is expected to be completed by July 4. In addition to the permanent grandstands, new lights will be installed, more than doubling the existing light capacity.
The majority of the project is being funded through private donations with some university facilities funding.
"We are very excited for the renovation of the stadium. It will greatly enhance the game experience for our loyal fans," said BYU women's soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood. "We are extremely appreciative to all those individuals who have played a role in making it happen."
Considered one of the toughest places for opponents to play in collegiate soccer, South Field consistently ranks among the NCAA top 10 in attendance for women's soccer. In the fall of 2006, the women's soccer team defeated No. 21 ranked Colorado 3-2 in front of 4,742 fans, the largest crowd in BYU soccer history.
"We are thrilled to have the support of our donors and the University to create a venue that reflects the quality of our teams," said BYU men's soccer coach Chris Watkins. "This is a major step towards our goal of creating a world-class environment to develop our student-athletes."
South Field boasts one of the best-maintained grass playing surfaces in the NCAA. In fact, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team chose South Field as its practice field in preparation for the 2005 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
Winners of six Collegiate Club Championships, the BYU men's soccer team now competes in the Premier Development League, which is part of the United Soccer Leagues. The team left Collegiate Club Division in 2003 and has seen great success amid the increased competition. BYU finished its 2007 season with a 13-1-2 record, a Northwest Division Championship and a trip to the Western Conference Championship. The Cougars have hosted international squads at South Field and make yearly trips to foreign countries for elite competition. Watkins' resume is highlighted by a 153-36-15 record in the last 10 years at the team's helm and over 200 wins as an assistant with the women's team.
The BYU women's soccer team has reached the NCAA Tournament and finished in the top 25 nationally in 10 of the last 11 years. In 2007, the team garnered its fourth Mountain West Conference title and fifth conference title since the program's inception. In fact, the team has not finished lower than third in the conference since the 1995 season, the program's first year. Rockwood is the winningest coach in the MWC and owns one of the nation's best winning percentages (.746) among active coaches. Cougar soccer players have represented the team and the school on United States National Teams and in a number of international competitions.
Women's NCAA attendance since 2001
2006 - 3rd in the nation
2005 - 4th
2004 - 10th
2003 - 3rd
2002 - 14th
2001 - 13th
South Field Facts
Location
- Immediately south of the Smith Fieldhouse
- On the existing location of South Field (current BYU soccer field)
Project Timetable
- Projected start date: March 17, 2008
- Projected completion date: July 4, 2008
Dimensions
- Height: 26 feet
- Width: 216 feet
- Depth: 65 feet
Seating
- Rows: 20
- Seats: 2,140
- Chair-back seats: 816 (three middle sections)
- Bench-back seats: 1324 (four outside sections -- two on each side)
Lighting
- Six light poles with 75-foot candles
- More than double the existing lighting at South Field
Funding
- Private donations
- University replenishment
Architectural Firm
- Dant Clayton Corporation (Louisville, Ky.)
Dant Clayton is recognized as one of the leading outdoor seating manufacturers in the country. For more than 30 years Dant Clayton has manufactured and installed thousands of seating systems for colleges, high schools and professional sports arenas across the United States. Recent collegiate soccer projects include Penn State, Missouri, Louisville and Oklahoma.