The competitive playing surface for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat soccer team is getting a new look and feel with the installation of AstroTurf for the 2020 season.
Mid-America Sports Construction of Lee's Summit, Missouri, is handling the installation of the AstroTurf product after completing a state-approved bid process.
The new surface will give Northwest a field that meets the NCAA minimum size requirement and allows it to fix significant elevation issues in the northwest corner of the field.
Northwest has played on a natural grass surface at Bearcat Pitch since the inception of the women's soccer program in 1999. The previous grass surface had unsuitable subsoils that created unplayable conditions with minimal amounts of rainfall, which forced Northwest to move home games the past few seasons. It also led to continual adjustments to practice and conditioning sessions for the Bearcat soccer program.
The new surface will provide many efficiencies for Bearcat soccer. It provides additional green space for student recreation, club sports, intramurals and other outdoor intercollegiate programs. It will allow opportunities for partnerships with Maryville R-II School District and the city of Maryville.
Revenue generation will also be more readily available as the new pitch can serve as a rental to other intercollegiate institutions, hosting other games and tournaments and camp or clinic opportunities that were not viable options in the past because of usage and weather threats.
Bearcat third-year head coach Marc Gordon said the artificial surface will provide a variety of assets for the women's soccer program.
"The addition of a new turf pitch will enhance our Bearcat soccer program in several ways," Gordon said. "Mostly, the team will have the ability to utilize the surface following heavy rains. This commitment will help in the recruitment of future Bearcat soccer players. The new surface will also provide the required field dimensions to host NCAA tournament matches."
Northwest Director of Athletics Andy Peterson said the project demonstrates the importance of the soccer program to the University and surrounding communities.
"This is obviously a big improvement for our soccer program," Peterson said. "This is also a win for our department and University. Soccer is a growing sport across the nation and especially in our region, and we hope that this pitch can drive involvement, engagement and performance from a variety of stakeholders. The University-wide impact of having this artificial turf surface for our spring sports, intramurals, club sports and general recreation will be significant."
The Bearcat soccer team will open its 2020 season at home on Friday, Sept. 4, at 3 p.m. against Southwest Baptist.
--- Northwest Athletics ---