Question on UAB game and Copeland/Bennett...

[DiamondM75]

Regarding socccer they need to do something with that stadium. It is an eyesore. Mr Hunt who lives for soccer could have the Hunt Soccer Field or some such. The chain link fence needs to come down and a permanent wall erected. I'm not talking about a $30 million project. Just some touches to make it look more presentable.

I don't understand why we don't play our soccer games in Ford. It was built with a large enough field for soccer, so why don't we use it? It is just a question I have wondered about.

[couch 'em]

Because soccer games are so poorly attended that they would lose money just painting the field.

[PK]

Back when we had real grass, it was easier to restripe for soccer. With the artificial turf, the football lines are permanent. It would be hard to cover those up and if you didn't, it would be very confusing.

My understanding is that there are plans to upgrade the soccer facilities soon although I don't know of an exact schedule.

[Sewanee Stang]

The team would rather play on a grass field.

[MustangSally]

During the 2001 or 2002 season, the soccer team did play a few matches in Ford, as well as the college cup one year. It didn't work. The field is big enough...barely. I'm not sure if they are still there, but they put up blue pads on the brick wall where the 4 corners of the soccer field were about 2 feet away. Since soccer fields are a little wider than a football field, any action that was in the near corners, you couldn't see more than the players' heads and shoulders, unless you were in the front row looking down over the wall.

I'd like to see a nicer soccer facility though, even just a brick facade along the back and sides of the current bleachers. Build a permanent pressbox, concessions stand, and bathroom, and it'd be great. The whole "oh just walk over to Ford Stadium to [deleted]" makes us look really bush-league. There are some VERY nice soccer stadiums being built around the country, I think St Louis has a great one they just built. It'd be cool to get something like that, but I'm sure it'd require a big donor to cover most of it.

[Mexmustang]

Reminder, Copeland did not make that catch!

[DiamondM]

Another reminder, Copeland did not miss all those tackles against A&M, throw any interceptions, drop any passes, or play with no energy against Tulane.

Look, if you're going to blame Copeland, Bennett, Turner, Board of Trustees, Marketing Department, Scott Secules, etc. for every failure, then you have to give credit for the successes.

By the way, yes, there is a plan in place to raise money for some improvements to Wescott -- adding concessions, restrooms and bricking the facade. Costs are modest compared to, say, Moody renovation, but soccer supporters need to Pony up the cash to get it done. The first step, which I think has actually been funded or is at least close, IIRC, is improving the playing surface itself -- better drainage, etc.