Soccer's Clarion Classic highlights new features at Stadium

A dedication for the completion of Phase II of the soccer stadium was held during the Men's and Women's Soccer annual tournament, the Clarion Classic, on Friday night.

Joining President Dennis Hefner to commemorate the occasion were Director of Athletics Greg Prechtl, SUNYAC Commissioner and inaugural Fredonia State soccer Coach Pat Damore, Fredonia College Council Chairwoman JoAnn Niebel, the men's and women's soccer teams, the Fredonia State cheerleaders, Student Association president Anthony Faraco and vice president Nicole Matteson, and other campus officials.

In addition, members of the Dunkirk High School Junior ROTC program were on hand to present the colors (U.S. and New York State flags). Joining them were some of the School of Music's very best vocalists who, under the direction of Dr. Gerald Gray, sang a rendition of the national anthem specially arranged for the occasion by Dr. Robert Deemer. This same group of singers will be performing the national anthem at a Buffalo Bills game on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.

The stadium, which began operating in 2007 once the fields, lights and bleachers were installed, now boasts such amenities as a new entrance and traffic circle, ticket office, restrooms, team meeting rooms, concession stands and a press box.

"It was a long time coming, and I think a lot of our competitors will be envious of what we have here," said Director of Athletics Greg Prechtl. "I think it will give our coaches a leg up when it comes to recruiting, and I think it's a real positive for the athletic program."

The Blue Devil men then proceeded to beat St. Joseph's College Friday evening by a 2-1 score, and went on to win the full tournament on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Penn State-Behrend. The Lady Blue Devils dropped an earlier game on Friday to visiting St. Lawrence by a 3-0 margin, but had better success the following day with Penn State-Behrend, which it played to a 2-2 tie.