TicketsApril 28, 2006
April 28, 2006
As the of prepares to embark on a new chapter in its athletics history, it will be anchored by the development of the . The crown jewel of the village, the , will be dedicated during special grand opening ceremonies planned for May 12th and 13th. In the coming weeks, UCBearcats.com will look at each of the new or upgraded facilities housed within . The next facility featured is Gettler Stadium.
Whether it be a cool autumn evening or a breezy spring afternoon, the 's Gettler Stadium is a beautiful site for collegiate athletics. The home to UC's men's and women's soccer teams as well as the men's and women's track and field teams, Gettler Stadium was completed in 2004.
The $6 million stadium features a brand new FieldTurf playing surface, permanent seating for 1,400, a press box, concessions stand, restrooms, and team rooms. The facility bears the name of Ben and Dee Gettler, who graciously donated $1 million to the fund.
"We've been able to have home meets here again, which is a huge deal," said head women's track and field coach Jim Schnur. "The fans love Gettler Stadium. Everything looks first class and like a Division I program should look. A lot of the schools that come here are fairly envious of our facility."
The facility was built around the former Meyers Field, at which the Bearcat track teams hosted the 1996 Conference USA Championships. Gettler Stadium again gives UC the ability to host conference championship-caliber track meets and soccer matches.
"The playing surface is the same, but other than that, everything has been upgraded," head men's soccer coach Hylton Dayes said. "It is definitely a big step up from what we had. Anyone that had been to Meyers Field and now to Gettler Stadium-the difference is night and day. The entry way, the lights, the layout presents UC in a positive light."
Located in the center of , Gettler Stadium sits across from the , Sheakley Lawn and the UC Tennis Center. The brick exterior and black iron gates give the entrance a nostalgic feel. Inside, the walls of the stadium are covered with murals highlighting former UC soccer and track and field athletes.
"The facility looks great," Schnur commented. "People come here and compare it to other tracks that they have seen and it just shows really well. It looks fantastic."
Dayes concurs.
"It looks more professional," the fifth-year head coach said. "We have the elements that you need for a first-class facility. The facility itself makes a positive impression."
With UC joining the BIG EAST in the 2005-06 season, the Bearcats needed to recruit a higher quality student-athlete. and Gettler Stadium have allowed them to do just that.
" will have a tremendous impact in recruiting," Dayes said. "It will put UC on par with some of the top schools in the country. Everything is conveniently loaded. I think the concept is something that you'll see a lot more schools going to."
"It is a very positive aspect of recruiting," said Schnur, a former school record holder and 1978 graduate of . " is phenomenal. It is just a great recruiting tool. When I went to UC, the campus was not this good-looking. It was a very difficult sell. Now, there are nothing but positives and it is a much easier sell."
The new facilities around campus have had an effect on the current athletes as well as recruits.
"It's a great time to be at UC as a student-athlete," Schnur said. " has made our recruiting job much, much easier."
Dayes and Schnur have each seen a lot of changes in their time at UC and the future is bright.
"I have been here five years, and it is amazing how much the university has changed, and athletics has been a part of that," stated Dayes. "The challenge in the future is how we can use all the resources we now have to benefit the students and student-athletes."