Indiana University Athletics
Field Hockey Facility Update
9/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 20, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - An outdoor facility is becoming a reality for the Indiana field hockey program. Visible and steady progress is being made on the state-of the-art $1.5 million facility, complete with a synthetic playing surface and watering system. The facility is on schedule for completion late this fall in time for the 2007 season.
Head coach Amy Robertson is also pleased with positive progression being made on the field. Robertson earned 2005 West Region Coach of the Year honors for leading Indiana to an Elite Eight finish at the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance. The nationally-ranked Hoosiers are 7-1 this season.
"We are excited to see the steady progress that is being made," Robertson said. "I think it's great that the project is not being rushed and done the right way. As the construction crew prepares to install the artificial turf it will be very exciting."
Jack Garrett, associate athletic director for facility management, is pleased with the project's first stages.
"Progress on the field hockey facility is moving steadily," Garrett said. "Essentially, we have two facility constructions in the field hockey facility and the soccer practice field. The drainage system is now in place. We are still aiming for a pre-Thanksgiving completion date for the field hockey facility, and if the weather cooperates, we will be ahead of schedule."
In addition to the construction of the facility progressing smoothly, Robertson is also excited to have a place for IU field hockey to call home for years to come.
"We have enjoyed our home in Mellencamp (Pavilion), but we are eager to have our own venue which is designed specifically for field hockey," Robertson said. "It will be nice to have a place that we can call home and develop a sense of pride in. We're appreciative that the University has been very supportive and given us the resources necessary to build and establish a state-of-the-art facility, not just any field hockey field, but one that will stand out in our conference."
Junior forward Kate O'Connell believes the new facility will help IU's growth as a nationally-competitive program.
"I think that the new facility will be very beneficial to the program, especially with recruiting," O'Connell said. "Every time I drive by, I get more excited because I can see the progress they are making, and it's one step closer to being able to practice and play outside. It will be such an honor to be the first senior class that calls the new facility home."
Garrett, who has supervised the facility's development and construction from its inception, believes this field will stand out as one of the nation's premier field hockey facilities.
"Obviously, the administration is pleased that this project is coming to fruition," Garrett said. "I am confident that the facility will be one that will make Amy, her student-athletes and Indiana University as a whole very proud."
