By: by Mark Toma
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KENNESAW, Ga. – It was a proud day on the campus of Kennesaw State University as the brand new KSU Soccer Complex opened its doors for the first time with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday afternoon in front of a packed crowd of dignitaries, students and soccer fans from all over the state.
The state-of-the-art stadium, the first in the country of this magnitude built specifically for women’s soccer, celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Kennesaw State President Dr. Dan Papp. Joining him in front of the main pavilion area was Kennesaw State women’s soccer head coach Rob King along with his staff and the 2010 Owls. Student body President Daniel Street was also on hand as well as KSU foundation chairman Norman Radow and Atlanta Beat President and Owner T. Fitz Johnson.
“This is a tremendous day for the University, the community and our program,” commented head coach Rob King. “It’s a day we have been waiting for and now that it's here, it is just a tremendous way to usher in a new era at Kennesaw State.”
A crowd of more than four thousand enjoyed a tour of the stadium, free hot dogs, sodas, chips and cake as they enjoyed the celebration complete with a band and a bevy of well-wishers including autograph sessions with the Owls, who served as escorts for the more than one-thousand youth players in attendance on the field.
“We are very happy that the community and the local youths were the ones to play on the field first,” added King, whose son Rory was playing on one of the teams. “We’ll have great times and games here, but for the first time, I’m glad the kids got to enjoy the field. It makes the day even more special.”
The stadium will hold over 8,300 people and has a dozen luxury suites. It will also serve as home to the Atlanta Beat, of Women’s Professional Soccer. The Owls will debut their new stadium with a pair of preseason matches in mid-August and will play their first regular season match on Aug. 22 when they host Alabama A&M.
