HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University soccer and lacrosse programs have developed an unprecedented championship culture while combining to capture 12 conference championships over the past five years.
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As the athletics calendar turns to 2015-16, the Panthers will now compete on a cutting edge Mondoturf surface that properly reflects that championship culture while providing a dazzling new home for the four programs.
After a period of extensive renovations this summer, the new and improved Vert Stadium surface opened in early July to rave reviews from HPU coaches and student-athletes.
“Having a new turf installed allows us the opportunity to play quality soccer and attract top level programs to come play at Vert Stadium,” women’s soccer head coach Marty Beall said. “We are very grateful for Dr. Qubein and his leadership team for making this happen for our student-athletes.”
The Mondoturf Classic MF 3550 synthetic turf system provides durability, performance and playing characteristics for soccer that are unmatched in the industry. The fibers are more durable and designed for better ball roll than that of other synthetic fields.
The SBR/sand infill mix was specifically designed to meet the play and performance standards required of NCAA soccer fields. The entire system sits on top of Mondo’s Fine Tuned System (FTS) pad, which provides added safety and consistency across the entire field.
“This new MondoTurf surface is a truly elite collegiate playing field that will set HPU student-athletes up for even greater success,” athletic director Dan Hauser said. “I’d like to thank Dr. Qubein and the High Point University leadership team for their support of this project. The new surface, coupled with the opening of the Witcher Athletic Center, gives our teams the facilities and support needed to join the nation’s elite in soccer and lacrosse.”
Vert Stadium opened in 2007 and offers a seating capacity of 1,100, with berm and field level viewing areas extending the stadium capacity to 2,500+. The field is flanked by Belk Track, an eight-lane Benyon surface with wide-radius turns. The track area has field event space for the high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump. An additional throwing area was constructed in 2011 and a hammer throw/discus cage was installed in 2014.
The stadium also features a full video board as well as lighting, which allows the field to be used freely for practice and games.
The stadium has hosted Big South Championships for women’s soccer in 2003 and 2008 and men’s soccer in 2005 and 2010. In the spring of 2009, the track & field team held its first home meet at the facility and hosted the Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the first time in 2015.
In fall 2014, the $9 million Witcher Athletic Center was constructed adjacent to Vert Stadium. The 36,000-square foot facility as the home for the HPU lacrosse and soccer teams. The building also has impressive spaces for athletic training, academic services, media and donor hospitality.
The amenities offered by the Witcher Athletic Center, coupled with the exceptional new MondoTurf surface inside Vert Stadium now provide HPU soccer and lacrosse student-athletes with facilities and services few NCAA Division I schools can match.
“We are really excited to compete on the new turf at Vert Stadium beginning this fall,” men’s lacrosse head coach Jon Torpey said. “This new surface is yet another fantastic addition to our program and High Point University Athletics.”
About High Point University
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with over 4,400 undergraduate and graduate students. It is ranked No. 1 by U.S. News and World Report for Best Regional Colleges in the South and recognized for a Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching. HPU was named this year the No. 4 private school in NC for the best return on investment, and it is a 2014-2015 College of Distinction. The university offers 44 undergraduate majors, 43 undergraduate minors and 11 graduate degree programs. HPU competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the Web at highpoint.edu.
About Mondo
Mondo is the global leader in the track and field, indoor sport and contract flooring markets, manufacturing rubber flooring surfaces for virtually every application. More than 1,100 Mondo tracks and 800 Mondo artificial turf fields are installed worldwide. An official supplier of athletic tracks for the past 10 Olympic Games, Mondo also is the official supplier or official sponsor of more than 100 sports federations and associations.
The company supplies a wide variety of commercial rubber flooring and manufactures luxury yachts under its Mondo Marine division. A family-owned business since its founding in 1948, Mondo sells its products in more than 196 countries. The company’s global headquarters are in Italy, and it has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia.