Warrior Stadium will be abuzz with activity come November as the 2009 California Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships will be played at California State University, Stanislaus’ home field.
The eight-team event will be contested Nov. 6-8 at the newly constructed Warrior Stadium.
“Cal State Stanislaus was a unanimous choice by the conference membership to host the soccer championships,” said conference commissioner Robert J. Hiegert. “Turlock is centrally located within the state providing a relatively convenient trip for all the participating programs. Cal State Stanislaus has worked extremely hard to build a first-class facility and is excited to showcase its new venue.
“The membership and the CCAA are confident that Cal State Stanislaus will run a first-rate event and provide a positive experience for the participating student-athletes,” Hiegert added.
Warrior Stadium, with a listed capacity of 2,100, is part of the $16.1 million Student Recreation Complex that will make its official debut in late August. Construction began in November 2007 on the project that features an 18,500 square-foot fitness center, track and soccer field with stadium seating, press box, restrooms, parking, locker rooms and adjacent practice field.
“We are very honored that the conference has selected us to host a championship event,” said Milton Richards, Cal State Stanislaus’ Director of Athletics. “The selection is a tribute to the dedication of our president, coaches, faculty, staff and community. We look forward to showcasing our new facility and welcoming teams and student-athletes from around the conference.”
The Cal State Stanislaus women’s soccer team will play the first scheduled event in the new facility when it hosts Dominican in an exhibition on Aug. 23. The first official contest, however, is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Aug. 27 when Cal State Stanislaus takes on Hawaii Hilo as part of a soccer doubleheader with the men's team.
Cal State Stanislaus will be hosting the CCAA Championships for the first time since 2005, marking just the fourth time in 12 years that the event will be held in Northern California.
Sonoma State is the defending men’s champion while UC San Diego captured the women’s title on its home field in 2008.
