Ulrich Sports Complex to receive facility upgrade
10/15/2008 4:30:00 PM | Field Hockey
 |
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Beginning in the spring of 2009, construction will begin on a new field for Lehigh’s field hockey program. The field will have a playing surface called AstroGrass, and will be located to the east of the new Banko Field on the Goodman Campus. The new AstroGrass field will also play host to intramural and club sports, benefiting the students who participate in these activities with a lighted field that can be used to extend scheduling opportunities.
Following the Mountain Hawks October 25 game versus Holy Cross, the ten year old artificial turf surface at the Ulrich Sports Complex will be pulled up and replaced with an in-filled surface known as TigerTurf. To meet the needs of Lehigh’s field hockey and intramural and club sports programs, a new artificial turf field will be constructed parallel to the current field. Construction on that field is scheduled to begin in the spring and will be completed for Lehigh’s 2009 season.
“We’re thrilled to be getting a brand new surface to train and play on,” Mountain Hawks head field hockey coach Julie Mazer said. “This shows a high level of commitment by the Athletic Department to ensure that our student-athletes have a first-class facility that rivals any in our league.”
With the planned project now scheduled to begin on October 27 (one week later than the originally scheduled date, based on the final pre-construction meeting between Lehigh Athletics and project contractors), the field hockey program will play its final home game of the 2008 season against American in Easton on the campus of Lafayette College on Friday, October 31. Mazer concluded, “The re-location of our final home game this season is only temporary and will allow for the facility upgrade project to take our home venue to the next level. We are very grateful to Lafayette College for their willingness to assist us by making their site available for our final game of the 2008 schedule.”
Lehigh is back in action at the Ulrich Sports Complex on Saturday, October 18 when the Mountain Hawks play host to archrival Lafayette on Senior Night. Game time is slated for 7:00 and all of the action will be broadcast live on Lehighsports.com.
