Alumni Stadium
It all began with a small meeting group of several alumni, throwing around the idea of a soccer-specific facility at Davidson College. From there the idea stemmed to a multi-million dollar complex that fully opened its gates for the 2005 season. The new complex, is named Alumni Stadium due to the amazing contributions from Davidson soccer alumni.
While preventing the men’s and women’s soccer teams from having to share time with Wildcat football and track and field teams at Richardson Stadium, Davidson’s new soccer facility includes a completely new field designed with a top-notch irrigation system. Two poles of lights on each side of the complex allow for night games, something that was never possible at the old field. A new grandstand and press box line the west side of the field while a new scoreboard stands on the east side. Additional seating is available on a landscaped hill on the north end behind the goal. New fencing, landscaping, sidewalks and perimeter lighting also make the Davidson soccer experience more enjoyable.
One of the biggest additions to the field is a clubhouse, dubbed “Slagle Locker Rooms,” after longtime legendary coach Charlie Slagle, located behind the grandstand housing locker rooms for both Davidson soccer programs. Another new structure, named for Peter Andrews, near the locker rooms serve as the ticket office, concession area and restroom facility for fans. The facility also has a locker room for the officials and a training room for injured athletes. The entranceway includes the Alumni Stadium sign, plus plaques to recognize 1992 Team Field and all its donors.
The concept for this new soccer complex began with a casual dinner that included a few soccer alumni, Spear and former head women’s soccer coach, Kevin Hundley, in the fall of 2001. The group agreed on the need for a dedicated facility, and found $100,000 worth of commitment just from those seated at the table. A 15-person committee, headed by John Bell of the college’s development office, was coordinated to organize and lead a fundraising campaign that kicked off in February 2003. The bulk of the fundraising, in large part due to the soccer alumni, was completed within a calendar year.
“The complex is a huge leap forward for Davidson soccer,” Spear commented. “It celebrates the rich history of the men’s and women’s soccer programs, and we can’t overstate our hearty thanks for so many generous contributors.”
The stadium allows both the men’s and women’s teams to hold the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament (hosted in 2016) and NCAA Tournament games at Davidson.
Many people deserve thanks for their generous contributions to Alumni Stadium. A majority of the 175-plus donors were former men and women players, as well as their families, with other large gifts coming from the many friends of Davidson soccer. Spear gained the support of his former College Cup teammates and their coach, Charlie Slagle ’74. The Ukrop, Sprinkle, and Schwab families offered a $300,000 challenge to the 1992 Final Four team to raise a half-million dollars to name the field in honor of that illustrious team and special season. The college also received major gifts from former players Mike ’85 and Alison ’84 Mauze, Peter Andrews ’59, Pete Boylan and parents Ken and Elizabeth Stevens. An additional gift from the Mauzes and a commitment from Lowell Bryan ’68 at the reception prior to the 2004 Hall of Fame dinner put the campaign over the top.
The members of the official fundraising committee were Annie Adams ’92, Shannon Lowrance Allen ’96, Colleen Camione-Edmonston ’94, Chris Davis (father of Preston ’06), Kevin Hundley, Pat Millen ’86, Liz Clarke Rogers ’92, Ross Saldarini ’91, Matt Spear ’93, Phelps Sprinkle ’93, Lucia Plosser Tabb ’97, Richard Terry ’81, Ellen Sprinkle Thomas ’95, Rob Ukrop, Jr. ’92, Heather Wineberg ’96, and Ginny Dye Zimmerman ’00.
Alumni Stadium and 1992 Team Field were officially dedicated on November 2, 2004 when the men’s soccer team hosted then nationally-ranked Wake Forest. Demon Deacons.
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