The Clive Charles Soccer Complex at the University of Portland officially celebrated the first major renovation with the construction of six lighting structures which will allow night games to be played at Harry A. Merlo Field for the 2004 season and beyond. The field was lit up on Monday evening as athletics administration, staff and alumni gathered to witness the spectacle. Merlo Field, considered one of the finest collegiate soccer facilities in the nation, will host a combined nine night events between the men’s and women’s soccer teams this fall. The inaugural match will be on Fri., Sept. 10, when the women host Weber State in the Portland Nike Invitational.
Construction of the lighting fixtures began in mid-July, after a long awaited approval was granted to the University to proceed with the project. The addition is expected to boost attendance figures for weekday games which previously had to be played during the afternoon. Already one of the most renowned soccer facilities in the nation, the Clive Charles Soccer Complex has many more expected upgrades in the near future.
Charles, the legendary head coach of both the University’s men’s and women’s teams for a combined 31 years, passed away on Aug. 26, 2003 after a battle with prostate cancer. His vision for a premier soccer facility on the University of Portland campus that would provide the finest possible environment for young men and women to train and compete at the highest levels of the sport was a created in the form of The Clive Charles Soccer Complex, a fitting memorial to an exceptional coach and man.
In addition to the lighting of Merlo Field, the plan calls for two new practice fields, upgraded support facilities, new landscaping, fencing and site-appropriate construction that will link all components of the Complex in an attractive, meaningful way.
· Stadium lights, approved in the University’s Master Plan by the City of Portland have been installed to allow night games to be played on Merlo Field.
· The existing practice facility will be upgraded, to include 1) a FIELDTURF regulation soccer field area, along with 2) a newly-constructed, natural grass practice field, which will serve as a fantastic venue for intramural recreation and youth soccer training camps.
· Renovated and enlarged women’s locker room and other facilities will more efficiently accommodate the University of Portland and visiting teams.
· The entrance to the Clive Charles Soccer Complex will feature a permanent recognition piece, which will display highlights of Coach Charles’ career in addition to acknowledging donor gifts of support to this project.
A listing of all evening games for the 2004 men’s and women’s soccer season is listed below.
Women’s Soccer Night Games
Sept. 10 - Weber State - 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 20 - Texas - 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 24 - Oregon - 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 15 - Pepperdine - 5:00 p.m.
Men’s Soccer Night Games
Sept. 15 - Washington - 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 8 - Santa Clara - 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 15 - Saint Mary’s - 7:15 p.m.
Oct. 22 - Gonzaga - 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 29 - San Diego - 7:00 p.m.
