Soccer Stadium Dedication

CBU DEDICATES NEW SOCCER STADIUM

WHEN SOCCER SEASON STARTED IN THE FALL OF 2022, THE TEAMS AT CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TOOK TO A NEW FIELD.

The $3.9 million CBU Soccer Stadium includes a new game field, bleachers that can seat 520 people with space for overflow crowds, and a covered, open-air press box. The field also features 90-foot-tall stadium lighting for night games.

On a very warm evening in September 2022, more than 900 fans watched the women’s team play University of California, Riverside. The teams battled to a 3-3 draw. The stadium was dedicated with a ribbon cutting during halftime.

“As I look around here tonight, I feel optimism about the opportunity in front of us to realize a new vision, a vision for building a nationally recognized brand for NCAA men’s and women’s soccer,” Coe Michaelson, head men’s soccer coach, said during the program. “We now have a home that our student athletes can be proud of, a place where they can build a legacy at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.” The new facility features a field with hybrid Bermuda grass, which sits on top of eight inches of sand and an underground drainage system. The former soccer field is now used for practice and is surrounded by a two-lane track.

“What a great space for our studentathletes to show their exceptional skills,” said Paul Eldridge, vice president for University Advancement, during halftime. He also thanked the Lancer Athletics Association donors and gave a prayer of dedication.

“May there be fierce competition here over many, many years. May our student athletes excel, and may they always play to the very best of their ability and to Your glory in this stadium,” Eldridge prayed.

Adding to the excitement of a new field, the teams are eligible for postseason play now that the transition to full NCAA Division I membership has been completed. The Lancers hosted the 2022 Western Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament at the CBU Soccer Stadium this fall. “With the successful transition to Division 1, the completion of the beautiful multi-million dollar soccer facility, and the opportunity to build one of the most competitive home field advantage atmospheres in Southern California, it is a very exciting time to be here at CBU,” said Tyler Mariucci, director of Athletics. “The combination of this new facility and our growing fan base and attendance is a game changer, and I believe one that can catapult us to the NCAA tournaments to compete against the best of the best in the nation.”

Players are excited to have the opportunity to play on the field.

“It feels like a long time coming getting to play on that field,” said Brian Gonzalez, a graduate midfielder. “I’m very excited that we have a top-tier facility on campus where our soccer program can do something special this year and for years to come.”

“It’s really exciting and a huge honor to be on the inaugural team to play on this field,” said McKenna Ray, a junior midfielder. “We are all very committed to bringing a WAC Championship to CBU and to plaster some banners on our new stadium!”

10