FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech Board of Trustees recently approved the construction a new synthetic turf field at their most recent meeting to replace the natural grass field at Warrior Athletic Field, home to the Warriors soccer and lacrosse programs, the Indiana Tech Athletic Department announced.
 
The one-million dollar project will break ground after graduation commencements in May and will not only benefit the athletic department, but also the university community as a whole including the physical education department, intramurals, club sports, etc. Construction is expected to be completed by the first weekend in August before fall sports begin their preseason camps.
 
Warrior Athletic Field was built in 2005 and is one of the few fields in the NAIA that is situated with goals facing east/west instead of north/south. Renderings on the new turf field can be found using the links at the top left hand side of the story.
 
What They're Saying
 
"The new field will greatly improve the amount of time our students, both athletes and non-athletes, have to play and practice," said Dr. Dan Stoker, VP of Student Affairs. "Besides our Varsity and JV soccer teams for both men and women, and our men's and women's lacrosse teams, the field will be utilized by intramurals, club sports – most notably Ultimate Frisbee, Physical Education classes, other sports for cross-training, and then general recreational use."
 
"On behalf of the student-athletes and student body, I would like to thank Dr. Snyder, Dr. Stoker, and Board of Trustees and all other staff and personnel that helped make this happen," said head men's soccer coach David Bokhart. "There are a lot of advantages to a great natural surface, but this development allows the athletic field to truly be a hub for student activity for many years to come."
 
"Considering that our lacrosse teams have hosted very few home games (one each team) on our field the last two years due to weather and turf conditions, the lacrosse teams will actually gain a useable home site with this installation," Stoker added. "Our women's lacrosse team actually mopped the field last year to make it playable for Senior Night – that shouldn't occur again after we install the turf."
 
"The impact it will have on recruiting is huge, it will help us seal the deal with the rest of our facilities," said first-year women's lacrosse coach Jason Allen. "And let's not forget the endless opportunities to showcase our turf field to high school teams and club teams by having them come out and play on it. We will also be able to have camps and clinics at any time during the year for recruits!"
 
"With the installation of the new turf, the women's soccer program will benefit greatly with an improved training facility as well as the option to train more efficiently and with more options to focus on group and individual training", said women's soccer head coach Jim Lipocky. "As a coach, this will broaden my ability to prepare my team and most certainly will be a major focus in recruiting. The women's soccer program is very grateful for the opportunity to train and play on a top level field."