Members of the UC Davis program and athletic department officials were on hand Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony as the new Aggie field hockey facility officially got started on the goal of being open for preseason practices in August.

The $3.2 million facility is being built thanks to the collaborative efforts of donors, parents, the athletics department and the campus.

UCD Athletic Director Terry Tumey, head coach Tiffany Huisman and several Aggie players gathered with members of the athletics department for the Tuesday ceremony at the facility site, which is southeast of Aggie Stadium across La Rue Road.

Along with allowing the UCD squad to play more home matches against higher-quality competition, the Aggie players will have more flexibility in scheduling classes since they don’t have to compete with other teams for practice time at Aggie Stadium.

Sophomore standout Jamie Garcia said the field hockey facility is a big step forward for the the program:

“This means that the university really believes in us and all that we can do. It really shows their support behind our program.”

Seating areas, bike parking, a scoreboard and water cannons to help prep the field for competition are among the other amenities that will be built at the facility.

Legacy lights

A combination of fundraising efforts and support from Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and others have the Davis Legacy Soccer Complex shining a bit brighter.

“Thanks to PG&E and our community partners, we’re adding six new poles and lights to our south end fields,” said Josh Lutzker, Davis Legacy Soccer Club president. “It’s essential to our wintertime program when it’s dark earlier and the only time when kids are available to practice.”

The complex south of Interstate 80, east of Davis, was built in 1989. The expansion of five additional fields in 2012 was donated by AKT Development and Davis Waste Removal in partnership with the city of Davis. Community support from regional company Alscoe-Geyer Irrigation and Tony Camarena of TCD Turf also helped make the project happen, Lutzker said.

The new fields have allowed the club to grow its program by sponsoring more teams, hosting larger tournaments and attracting regional and national events. The addition of lights to the complex allows for sanctioned play of league and tournament games with adequate lighting, he said.

After two “Barefoot on the Pitch” fundraising events, enough money was raised to pursue the light project, which allowed for more perimeter lighting and an upgrade to the existing light system. Corporate and local business sponsors include PG&E, Subway, Dave Scheiber State Farm Insurance, California IVF Fertility Center, Davis Dermatology, Grandeur Designs, Mr. Pickles, Soccer N Lifestyle, SpeeDee Oil Change/Midas, UC Davis Veterinary Hospital, Chad DeMasi of the DeMasi Group, Gil Moore Oil and Theassignor.com.

Davis Legacy Soccer Club is home to more than 480 youth soccer players and is a nonprofit organization committed to providing the highest level of quality soccer training for players in a positive and safe environment.

The group’s next fundraising event is planned for Saturday, Sept. 13. For more information, visit www.davislegacysoccer.org.

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