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The new stadium fit for champions
New facility comes with a hefty price tag. The million dollar question: will it be completed in time for the 2011 season?
Navid Khoi/ Roundup
Pierce College has been renovating all over campus these past few years, and the next in line for a face-lift is John Shepard Stadium, home of the Brahma football team.
Construction for the new look stadium will hopefully be finished by the middle of August, before the football team’s first home game on Sept. 10.
When asked about the backup plan if the stadium isn’t finished by the start of the season, athletic director Bob Lofrano said jokingly, “… we might play in the parking lot.”
The real contingency plan in the event of a late completion is simple: the Brahmas will play their “home games” at the venue of their opponents.
So hypothetically speaking, the football team could be playing all their games on the road this season.
“The renovation of the stadium was needed,” said Lofrano.
The people of Los Angeles voted on letting Pierce get the upgrade to the stadium.
“The people were very generous in their votes allowing this to happen,” said Lofrano.
The total cost of the stadium is around 9 million dollars.
“It’s a symbol that Pierce is now an elite football facility and the new place to be as far as junior colleges are concerned,” said assistant coach of the football team Jason Sabolic. “It means a lot to the program and this year’s team.”
Having won the past two conference championships, the team’s play on the field over the past few season’s dictates that they’re a program on the rise.
“It’s nice having a new stadium,” said head coach of the football team Efrain Martinez. “As far as recruiting, this should help.”
But does a new stadium mean the coming of a men’s soccer team to Pierce College?
“I’ve been trying to get a men’s soccer team since I’ve been the athletic director,” said Lofrano. “But it’s all about the budget, and since the budget is horrible, my main concern is to not lose any sports.”
