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SUNY Fredonia soccer players are going to be wishing every game was a home game. Not just for fan support, but for the fact their house will be one of the finest in the SUNYAC.

Friday night during the Clarion Hotel Soccer Classic at University Stadium, the latest addition to the complex was dedicated by a ribbon cutting before the men's soccer team took to the field against St. Joseph's.

"It was a long time coming, and I think a lot of our competitors will be envious of what we have here," Director of Athletics Greg Prechtl said of the completed complex. "I think it will give our coaches a leg up when it comes to recruiting, and I think it's a real positive for the athletic program."

Phase II of the stadium project, the portion dedicated Friday, began last fall and was completed this summer. It consists of the Gateway building, which includes of a state-of-the-art press box, team rooms, restrooms, a concession stand, a ticket booth, an outer facade wall and a circular drive entranceway to the stadium's main gate. Phase one consisted of the high quality grass field, adjacent turf field, seating and stadium lights.

See COMPLETED STADIUM, Page B2

"This is natural grass and it's what soccer players prefer to play on, but we also have the turf field which is great because it gives us a practice facility even in bad weather," Prechtl said. "This is really a state-of-the-art surface able to handle an inch of rain an hour."

Members of the Fredonia State College Council, the College Foundation board of directors, college administrators, Student Association president Anthony Faraco and vice president Nicole Matteson, men's and women's soccer teams and varsity cheerleaders, and Patrick Damore the SUNYAC commissioner and first head coach in Fredonia State soccer history participated in the ceremony.

"This really makes this complex really a first-class complex and it's the kind of facility we should be providing for our soccer and lacrosse teams and of course for all of our fans," President Dennis Hefner said.

Hefner added that this facility now makes Fredonia eligible to host post-season tournament play, including the NCAA regional tournament.

"I think it's a great facility, not only for the campus, but we also see it as a facility that reaches out and will be greatly supported by the community and that would greatly support the community," he said.

In addition to the ribbon cutting ceremony, a moment of silence to honor the victims of Sept. 11 was held. The Dunkirk High School Junior ROTC color guard presented the colors, while a select group of 12 Fredonia State vocal majors - under the direction of School of Music voice department chairman Gerald Gray - performed the national anthem prior to the start of the men's soccer game between Fredonia State and St. Joseph's College. Those same individuals will also be performing prior to an upcoming Buffalo Bills home game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

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