By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. - In August of 2010 the Kennesaw State women’s soccer program will make an historic leap into history, as they play their first match in the state-of-the-art KSU Soccer Stadium. The only soccer stadium of this magnitude built for women’s soccer, will house the three-time Atlantic Sun Conference champion Owls, as well as the Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer.
Head Coach Rob King, the only coach in the eight-year history of the Owls program, took some time to discuss the impact of the stadium on Kennesaw State and to describe the facility that is sure to be the crown jewel of women’s soccer in the United States and internationally.
KSU Insider How did the building of this stadium come about?
King Well, all the stars aligned for this stadium to happen. We had been hoping to upgrade our current soccer facility. At the same time, I was in discussions with Fitz Johnson, who was contemplating bringing a WPS franchise to the Atlanta market. We wanted a facility upgrade and he needed a world-class soccer venue. In the summer of 2008, Fitz Johnson purchased the rights to a WPS franchise, founded the Atlanta Beat, and the KSU Foundation partnered with Mr. Johnson on a stadium building project.
KSU Insider For people who haven’t seen the construction or know much about this facility, can you tell them about it.
King There has never been a stadium of this magnitude built specifically for women’s soccer. It will be the premier women’s college facility in the world. It's an 8,300 seat venue, that includes 850 club level seats, 12 suites, a Super Suite, television and radio press boxes, party decks, a corner lodge area and a 16,000 square foot soccer building. But what makes this stadium most appealing, is that no seat will be further than 58 feet from the pitch. Fans and players are going to really enjoy the atmosphere. There are 32 concession areas, a KSU merchandise store, a state-of-the-art video board, an advanced sound system and the stadium is set among trees and a lake. It’s going to be a fantastic place to bring your friends and family to watch a game.
KSU Insider What amenities will this stadium have that will impress new recruits.
King Lots! This stadium is going to be a destination all women’s soccer players will want to experience. The pitch is a five-layer base, Bermuda hybrid, over-seeded with rye. It will be the top-playing surface around and has a drainage system that is the same one used in the new Yankee Stadium. The Owls locker room is housed in our 16,000 square-feet team building, which sits directly behind the north goal. The Kennesaw State locker room is over 1,200 square-feet, a separate players lounge offers a further 600 square-feet, with windows that open to field level. The team building also houses the training room, complete with the latest hydro/spa equipment, a video review room, separate male and female officials locker rooms, a coach’s suite, a green room, equipment rooms, plus three additional locker rooms.
KSU Insider What does this stadium mean for Kennesaw State soccer?
King It is a new beginning for our program; it’s going to be a game changer. We have enjoyed a lot of success at the Division II level, capturing the 2003 National championship and at the Division I level having won three of the last four regular season Atlantic Sun Conference titles. We’ve played in two of the last three NCAA College Cups and now with a stadium of this stature, we’re hopeful that we'll contend for Division 1 national championships in the future.
KSU Insider How is the stadium going to influence recruiting?
King Having this stadium is going to allow us to realistically go after the very top domestic and international players. Although it's our facility, it will serve as a venue for the Atlanta Beat of WPS and also host international soccer matches. If I were female and about to chose a place to earn my degree and play soccer...Kennesaw State would be at the top of my list!
1st Event
May 2, 2010 | KSU Kick-Off Celebration
1st Official Match
May 9, 2010 | Atlanta Beat Home Opener
1st KSU Match
August 14, 20101 | Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State (Exhibition)
1st KSU Regular Season Match
August 22, 2010 | Kennesaw State vs. Alabama A&M
