New playing surface for Westcott Field (Photo by Austin Kilgore, The Daily Campus)
Work began in mid- June to renovate Westcott Field, with the surface being widened and lengthened, and an improved drainage and irrigation system will be installed.
Soccer fields are like baseball outfields and racetracks in that they can vary in size. But just like baseball and racing, changes in the field of play can make for a very different game.
For years, the men’s and women’s soccer teams have struggled at home because they play on a smaller field than many of their competitors.
Men’s head soccer coach Schellas Hyndman said playing on a smaller field at home “confused our players,” and created a situation where “we had to play differently at home and away.”
A larger field will play to the strengths of both teams, Hyndman added.
“We’ve recruited technical, skillful and quick players,” Hyndman said. Playing on a smaller field did not give SMU’s players the ability to show off their talents.
“In a smaller, tighter space, you have less time to make good decisions,” Hyndman said.
The old field was 68 yards wide by 110 yards long. According to the NCAA rulebook, “The width shall not be more than 80 yards nor less than 65 yards and the length shall not be more than 120 yards nor less than 110 yards.” The rulebook also mandates that new facilities must be a minimum of 70 yards wide by 115 yards long. The new field will be 75 yards wide by 118-120 yards long.
Hyndman said many schools SMU plays against have upgraded their fields, and the renovation will put SMU on par with them. He added a larger field will enable SMU to host playoff games as well as improve recruitment.
To make room for the enlarged field, the jump pits that had previously been on the west side of the field will be relocated to the northeast corner of the facility. This will also bring the field closer to the stands, creating a better home field advantage.
In addition to enlarging the field, a new drainage system is being installed. The old field was prone to flooding. The new field will have a sand pit underneath the grass to help improve drainage, and will be able to absorb eight inches of rain without flooding. Coupled with that is a new irrigation system. All of the water for the field will be stored in underground basins. Rainwater is collected and stored there and the roots of the grass grow into the basins, eliminating the need for a traditional sprinkler system.
Hyndman estimated 75 percent of the water used in an above ground sprinkler system evaporates due to the heat, and said the new system will save water and money. In addition, not having above ground sprinklers will eliminate the need for holes in the field for sprinkler heads. The new irrigation system also ensures all parts of the field are equally watered.
Another tool to enhance and protect the field is a mesh grid that will be intertwined in the grass. This grid supports the grass and keeps it compact, maintaining the field after prolonged use.
The new field is the first of a two-phase project. The second phase will include a brick facade surrounding the existing stands, as well as fan amenities, locker rooms, offices and a press box.
Hyndman said its his hope the new field will improve the entertainment value of soccer games for fans. Having just come back from a trip to the World Cup, Hyndman said he thinks the increased interest in soccer because of the World Cup and SMU’s success last year will bring people from outside the SMU community to SMU play. More importantly though, Hyndman said the new field is for the athletes.
“Our players are some of the best players in the United States,” he said. “They deserve to play in a facility that is equal to their talents.”
