Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Thurs., Sept. 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men's & Women's Soccer

Opening ceremony Friday at University Stadium

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- College officials, former coaches, and area legislators are scheduled to take part Friday in grand opening ceremonies to dedicate the new soccer facility at Fredonia State.

Among those participating will be Fredonia State University President Dr. Dennis Hefner, who is scheduled to make a special arrival; several other university officials and area legislators; and at least four former Fredonia State soccer coaches: Kathy Baker Storm, Nelson Cupello, Dr. Tom Prevet, and Dr. Pat Damore, who is the current SUNYAC commissioner.

Fredonia State alumnus and Buffalo Sabres television studio host Kevin Sylvester will serve as master of ceremonies.

Other groups taking part will be members of the Northern Chautauqua Soccer Association and the local chapter of the American Youth Soccer Association, and the Fredonia State cheerleaders and Fredonia State pep band.

The dedication will include a ceremonial kickoff and an official ribbon cutting ceremony beginning at 7:15 p.m., followed by the men's soccer game between Fredonia State and Penn State Behrend -- the first of four night games on the men's schedule. Only once before has Fredonia State played a home night game, and that was Oct. 21, 1961, at the then-Cardinal Mindszenty High School Field -- which makes Friday's game the first-ever night game on the Fredonia campus.

The opening ceremonies and men's game will be broadcast by campus radio station WCVF (88.9 FM). The station will also offer a webcast of the game via the Fredonia Radio Systems homepage.

In addition to the on-field ceremonies, organizers have arranged to have a bounce house and other inflatables for children, special giveaways by a vendor specializing in soccer items, a Soccer Throw-In similar to the popular chuck-a-puck promotion used at Fredonia State hockey games, and a refreshment stand operated by the Faculty Student Association.

The first 500 fans attending will receive a commemorative t-shirt, while all fans will receive a commemorative ticket. Admission is free.

The Fredonia State women will christen the field when they face Medaille College at 5 p.m. Both Blue Devil Friday games are part of the annual eight-game Blue Devil Days Inn Classic, which runs through Saturday. Games on the adjacent artificial surface field -- not involving Fredonia State teams -- will also be played both days.

With groundbreaking held during the summer of 2006, University Stadium took less than one year to complete. It includes grandstand seating for 1,500 at the grass field, with additional room for seating at the artificial turf field. Both fields are lighted.

The new facility has already been the site of four regular-season home games, all by the women’s lacrosse team, during the spring on the artificial turf field. Plans also call for the facility to be used by the club teams and the university intramural program.

Phase 2 of the project is expected to include two team dressing rooms, officials' rooms, public restrooms, a concession stand, a press box, new signage, and an entranceway adjacent to Ring Road. Construction could begin as early as next spring so that the facility is completed by fall 2008.

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