soccer stadium

[Rob]

just saw on the hofstra website that they are building a stadium for the soccer teams.

[The Bottom Line]

oh, that's because the football stadium isn't good enough?

Its because the soccer teams play on natural grass.

[Eric]

Its because the soccer teams play on natural grass.

I thought the same thing at first, D, but I was surprised to find out that's not the case here.

http://www.hofstra.edu/PDF/sports_msoc_stadium041003.pdf


Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz today announced that through a partnership with the New York Jets the Hofstra Men's and Women's Soccer Teams will be playing in a new, on-campus soccer stadium this fall.

"We are very pleased to be able to add to our campus a first-rate soccer facility with lights and seating for approximately 1,600 spectators," Rabinowitz said. "This facility will enhance our soccer programs, and will also permit us to host exhibitions and other community contests. We are most grateful to the New York Jets for their generosity in making this facility possible."

The new, yet to be named facility will feature an artificial 120-yard-by-74-yard FieldTurf surface, stadium lighting and metal bleachers the length of the field. The new facility will be located on the north campus, adjacent to the Hofstra Physical Fitness Center.

The FieldTurf system replicates a natural grass surface, but offers the durability and cost benefits of synthetic fields. FieldTurf is a safe alternative, resulting in a documented reduction of sports injuries. The sand and rubber infill system is the biggest technical development that the sport surfacing industry has seen in the last twenty-five years. This patented technology sets FieldTurf apart from all other sports surfaces.

In June 2001, The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the worldwide governing body for the sport of soccer, gave its official recommendation to the artificial grass FieldTurf installation at Boston University's Nickerson Field for international competition and domestic league play. The historic ruling, the first and only certification of an artificial surface in the world at this time, means that venues with FieldTurf can be used for all preliminary competition matches for the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Football Tournaments as well as for professional league play. There have been more than 500 FieldTurf installations worldwide in recent years.

It will be pretty cool for the soccer teams to have their own stadium, certainly 1600 seats is more than enough for them (and sometimes more than enough for our football team...) though it will take more than a nice facility to make our teams competitive in the CAA.


"Our soccer programs have enjoyed tremendous growth and success in recent years," Hofstra Director of Athletics Harry Royle stated. "Two years ago, Hofstra moved into the Colonial Athletic Association, which is one of the top soccer conferences in the country. We are confident that this new facility will be the final piece of the puzzle that will allow us to take our soccer programs to the next level, both regionally and nationally."

I stand corrected. Also, this will benefit the Jets because it seems that the Stadium will be where the Jets hold their open practices. More seating and a better enviornment for Jets fans.

[Eric]

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. Makes sense for them to have a turf field then, since I think Giants Stadium is returning to the fake stuff next year.

[Jojogunne]

FieldTurf has already been installed in Giants Stadium. The Metrostars are going to be the first team to play on it.

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1049440656161150.xml

[TMC]

It shouldn't be long before Shuart Stadium is redone with Field Turf then. Makes no sense to have football play on an inferior surface.

[HofstraAndrew]

This is awsome news and should help our recruiting a lot. Once the baseball field's renovation is complete we will have top notch facilities for all our sports.

[Rob]

we really have some nice facilities for a northeastern school.