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Issue date: 8/18/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Fernando Balda CHANGES AROUND CAMPUS: The Jesse H. Jones soccer field is undergoing renovations to expand its size by 80 square yards. The expansion will increase the field to regulation size. The varsity soccer teams compete on the field in the fall while intramural teams play in the spring. Signs label the field unavailable.

In May, University President John Brazil approved the expansion of the Jesse H. Jones soccer field, and over the last three months steady work has been done towards its completion.

"We got it approved right after graduation and it took another three or four weeks to begin construction," said Director of Athletics Bob King.

With an anticipated date of completion in mid-September, the field is expanding to 120 yards by 72 yards, an increase in area of 80 square yards. The enlargement of the field will directly impact hosting considerations for postseason games.

"The field before was too small for championship play," King said.

According to King, the soccer committee and NCAA wanted to send teams to San Antonio for the playoffs because of the weather and the ranking of our teams, but we did not have those matches on-campus.

Former Trinity soccer player and current Head Women's Soccer Coach Lance Key has been anticipating this renovation for years.

"The efforts by the University to provide improvements of this magnitude are tremendously appreciated by the Trinity soccer community: past, present and future," Key said.

For the last four seasons, Trinity soccer's postseason home games have been held at Blossom Athletic Center off of Highway 281 North and Bitters.

According to King, in addition to expanding the field, physical plant has also added new lights and dugouts for the teams as well as moving the scoreboard location. The student's section remains unaltered.

There was an initial concern that the track surrounding the field would be lost to the renovations, but King said that there will be a track around the renovated field.

According to Director of Physical Plant John Greene, the total costs of the field will be approximately $500,000.

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