DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona State College's men's and women's soccer teams will have their own home field in 2017, as construction begins on a new state-of-the-art complex, complete with a high-definition video scoreboard and infrastructure to support live sports-broadcasting events.
A much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony will take place 3 p.m. Wednesday, on the north side of the Daytona Beach Campus, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd.
"This is an exciting time for collegiate soccer at Daytona State," DSC President Tom LoBasso said. "Already, our teams have seen extraordinary success in their first season. Our new soccer complex will be an outstanding sports venue that will attract a loyal Falcon fan base. Equally significant, it will become a learning laboratory for students in our upcoming sports-broadcasting degree program."
"This is an exciting time for collegiate soccer at Daytona State," said DSC President Tom LoBasso, shown here.
"Already, our teams have seen extraordinary success in their first season. Our new soccer complex will be an outstanding sports venue that will attract a loyal Falcon fan base. Equally significant, it will become a learning laboratory for students in our upcoming sports-broadcasting degree program."
Under coach Bart Sasnett, the men's team earned Region 8 and Southeast District championships this year and an appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament in Tyler, Texas, where DSC advanced through the quarter finals before being eliminated by No. 2 seed Monroe College.
The women's team went 11-3 and was ranked among the NJCAA's top 20 teams. Six Falcons earned All-Region honors, while coach Brittany Jones was named Region 8 Coach of the Year.
The $3.2 million soccer complex is expected to be completed by August 2017, in time to kick off the new season. This year, the teams played home matches at nearby Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The college has begun reconfiguring its north parking lot to make room for the soccer complex adjacent to the men's baseball field. The work required that a 1960s-era structure, largely unused in recent years, be demolished.
With seating for 800, as well as restrooms, a press box and a concession area, the new soccer complex also will feature a 30-by-25 foot, high-definition video scoreboard. The college will solicit naming rights and sponsorships for the complex and various facility landmarks.
In addition to becoming ground zero for some of the area's most exciting collegiate soccer action, the facility will provide a real-world practicum for students pursuing DSC's new Associate of Science in Broadcast Television Production degree, launching fall 2017.
"This program opens a whole new path of experience for DSC students interested in live television broadcasting and production," LoBasso said. "And while teaching and learning are primary drivers, offering live broadcasts also allows us to showcase our many athletic programs and increase awareness of Daytona State's mission."
Over 90% of DSC 2015 student-athlete graduates transferred to a university with full or part athletic scholarships.