Properly designed and constructed, multi-use fields work. However, many of the schools were built prior to soccer being a real consideration. Having not been to some of the newer schools, I wonder if their getting better, i.e. Blythewood.
It’s been said but I think it is worth repeating most fields where built before that school even fielded a soccer team. And most people don’t know but fields are expensive to build and maintain.
We also need to remember that schools are built to host athletic events for more than just Football. If a field has a track ( most do) the will make if smaller. How many public schools are going to be able to get the school board to build 2 separarte staduims? Tax payers would go nuts! It is true that the fields need to be wider but unless the soccer team plays at a diffrent site, this is going to be diffucult. But you can make the field better by planting winter rye and keeping it mantained. That is if the AD/FB coach will let you.
well i just dont like (and no one take this the wrong way) how alot of people blame the AD and FB coach for not apprecating soccer or giving soccer the raw end of the deal. Granted everyone wants their sport to get all the attention and all the things they deserve but the reality not everyone will be happy. I think the sports are more "equal" in a sense of what they get or have then most people think. I mean does the swim team deserve an on campus pool, or the golf team get their own golf course etc!
To play the game is good, to win the game is great, to LOVE the game is the greatest!
Many of the stadiums that schools use are Football only stadiums that by the grace of the AD soccer can use.
Of the top of my head in Region 4 4A
Lexington, Irmo, Aiken, S. Aiken (I am not sure)& N. Augusta (not sure) do not have a track. White Knoll uses the District stadium for football.
In many cases the practice field is better than the stadium. The problem is usually lighting of the field.
BTW...Lex Wildcat Hollow will be no more by 08 Fall football season as I understand it. A new Stadium will be built in the HS property. I assume this means that White Knoll will expand their seating capacity at their facility.
White Knoll is Building their stadium (a totally new one) on campus. SA does have a track NA does also Aiken has a road from what i can remeber but im not sure it is a track.
To play the game is good, to win the game is great, to LOVE the game is the greatest!
Kick ball I can name 3 ad/fb coaches in my area that will not allow the game field to be overseeded with rye. I also know of a few schools in the midlands that can not do it. I never said they did not support soccer.
I realize that Clinton is by far not the soccer powerhouse that many of the schools that are listed here are. We are best known for our football team. But, we have our own soccer field. The field is 120 yd long with the ability to be as far as 75 yd wide. The only sport that uses the field is soccer and I am very appriciative to my AD and school district for making this possible.
I realize that we have small bleachers and no scoreboard, but our facility is one of the better ones that I have seen.
