New stadium is home for sports teams

By Amy Wulff
Cardinal Staff

The new soccer/track complex on the western side of campus that was erected last year is now in its first full season of use as the “Cardinal” home turf. This recent addition to the Saint Mary’s University landscape has added vitality the university had previously been missing. This state-of-the-art complex will be used as the home field for soccer, track and field, intramural soccer and pick-up soccer and club lacrosse.

“It is a spectacular scene if you are coming to campus from the west on either Hwy. 14 or Gilmore Valley Road,” said track Head Coach Shawn McMahon. “It is a very substantial visual draw that sends a great message to anyone coming into Saint Mary’s — whether or not they’re even interested in athletics.”

Soccer and track coaches said that the new complex has made a positive difference in recruiting. “We always encourage recruits to envision themselves playing on our field,” said women’s soccer Head Coach Eric Zimmerman.

Things look even more promising for track and field uses. “Events we host on the track — collegiate and scholastic — give lots of positive visibility to the university, and since track and field meets are such large events, it is one of the best ways to get hundreds of high school athletes from the region on our campus,” said McMahon.

Prior to last year, soccer teams were playing their home games at WSU.

“It was terrible, there was purple everywhere,” said men’s soccer Head Coach Chris Dembiec.

“The new complex gives our soccer teams a new type of home-field advantage, and when we play night games, the picturesque placement of the school and the red and white field all lit up gives you an almost magical feeling,” said Zimmerman.

The new complex will host the MIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time this spring.