The site of a new YSU sports complex viewed from the DeBartolo Stadium Club atop Stambaugh Stadium with the soccer field/track to the right and softball field to the left.
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Site preparation has begun on a new $4.3 million sports complex in a once-blighted North Side neighborhood across from Stambaugh Stadium.
“This complex will not only serve thousands of students participating in athletics, intramurals and club sports, it also will greatly enhance the appearance of a major gateway to the campus,” said Gene Grilli, vice president for administration and finance at Youngstown State University.
The project, first conceived about five years ago, includes a new soccer field surrounded by an eight-lane all-weather track, as well as a softball field.
In addition, it includes lighting for the fields, stands, restrooms, walkways and fencing.
The women’s soccer team, which currently plays at Stambaugh Stadium, and the women’s softball team, which currently plays in Canfield, will use the new fields.
Students participating in university intramural and club sports also will use the complex. In addition, the university anticipates that community groups will use the facilities for tournaments and other events.
The complex, funded through university bonds and private donations, should be complete by next summer.
Comments
Yet the administration and the Board of Trustees seem unconcerned about the student loan bubble and escalating employees costs.
That area of the campus was a major eyesore. This will be a nice addition to YSU.
I totally agree with you, chuck_carney. I was just thinking the same thing.
Finally, the most popular game in the world has a home. Maybe they can now recruit the type of quality players it takes to stay consistent and win on a national level which means, make the NCAA touranment year in and year out. If it was up to me, Strollo should have a mens program. This is a step in the right direction. Long overdue. In 1999 I remembered a gentlemen that brought a group of 16/17 year old soccer players to YSU. This team had won national tournaments and players have gone on to play at higher levels. They played YSU womens soccer team @ the Ice Castle. No one attended. What a shame. YSU is finally getting it. In order to compete, you must have facilties.
A plus for the community and Youngstown State.
So rumppy says there was a soccer game, a women's soccer game to boot, and no one attended. Now that's a shocker.
Amazing how some will find negative in anything. This is great for Y-town. Currently this puts some construction workers to work in the usual slow period; an open vacant lot will be transformed into something; YSU athletes and fans will not have to travel to Canfield; YSU the biggest employer in the county is growing; private funds are used; hmmmmm let's find something to bitch about I just need to keep looking! Meanwhile congrats to the YSU staff as you continue to make the school a great asset for the area!
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