UAPB ATHLETICS OFFICIALLY BREAKS GROUND ON NEW SOCCER, TRACK AND FIELD COMPLEX

Groundbreaking

A new era is set to begin for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s and women’s track & field and soccer programs, as the athletics department celebrated an official groundbreaking ceremony for a brand new soccer and track and field complex that is expected to be completed by next spring of 23.

The new complex will include a synthetic turf with an eight-lane track, locker rooms, press box, restrooms, concession stands, sports medicine treatment areas, coaches and staff offices, classrooms, equipment storage rooms, tickets booths, scoreboard, and a seating capacity for 2,000.  The soccer field will include removable goals and benches.

Director of Athletics Chris Robinson was joined by UAPB head track and field coach Christopher McCoy and UAPB head soccer coach Erik Solberg.

Attending the ceremonies was university leadership, local legislators, community leaders, alumni, coaches, and teams, which included Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander, (U of A System President) Donald Bobbitt, (U of A System Board of Trustees Chairman) Dr. Stephen Broughton, (Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement) George Cotton Sr., (Pine Bluff Mayor), Shirley Washington, (Jefferson County Judge) Gerald Robinson, (Senior Associate AD) Roger Totten Sr., (SWA) Betty Hayes-Anthony, Dr. Carolyn Blakely, Kymyra Seals, Todd Gardner, Chris Peterson, Dr. Ryan Watley, Samuel Glover and current soccer and men’s and women’s student-athletes.

UAPB Director of Athletics: Chris Robinson
I am extremely excited about this historic celebration in breaking ground for the Track and Soccer Complex. Both programs have persevered and represented the university extremely well in spite of not having adequate facilities. It is fulfilling to know that we are in the process of providing much needed facilities to two programs that are so deserving. I cannot wait to see the former student-athletes and coaches within these two programs join with the current student-athletes and coaches in this new facility. That day will definitely be one to remember.

UAPB Women’s Head Soccer Coach: Erik Solberg
It’s a tremendous investment by our university and the UA system/board of trustees in our program and the track program. It will give us one of the preeminent soccer facilities in the SWAC and be a great asset in recruiting as well as provide a state-of-the-art home for us to train and play on campus. It also will serve as a facility for us to further introduce soccer to the Pine Bluff community and hopefully host high school tournaments and championships in the future.

UAPB Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Head Coach: Christopher McCoy
There is no doubt it that this will be the best facility in the conference and will provide a wealth of benefits to our student-athletes.  It’s a huge boost to our overall student-athlete experience in addition to improving our ability to recruit players to both programs.