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U-M Stadium

U-M Stadium is a 2,200 capacity soccer specific stadium built for the men and women’s soccer teams at the University of Michigan. This stadium can be found in Ann Arbor on the University of Michigan's campus. The stadium is located in the middle between Oosterbean Fieldhouse and the Ocker Field Hockey Field on State Street.

History

The three-field, soccer-exclusive facility cost six million dollars and was funded entirely by Intercollegiate Athletics resources, gifts and donations. The soccer complex was built in 2008 and the stadium finished construction in 2010.

Team History

The men's soccer team has won the Big Ten Tournament once in 2010. The team was conference regular season championships in 2017. They have also reached the NCAA Tournament eight times (2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019) since their start in 2000. They have had eighteen players go pro in Major League Soccer such as Robbie Mertz (Colorado Rapids) and Justin Meram (Columbus Crew, Orlando City, Atlanta United).

The women’s soccer team has made fourteen NCAA Tournament appearances (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019) since their start in .1994. They were also conference Tournament champions in 1997 and 1999.

The program has thrived and flourished with the construction of this impressive stadium. Players report that having one of the best soccer complex's in the Big Ten has enabled their program to reach that next level of competition. There are big things in store for the teams that call U-M Stadium home.

Features

Alongside of the stadium there are two practice fields for the men and women teams. The stadium features two locker rooms with tunnel access to the pitch. There is a press box flanked by two terraces that are used for handicap and special seating. There is also underground benches, athletic training room, restrooms, and concessions. There is a main grandstand for fans and special student section seating across the field where the student section support group otherwise known as the “Michigan Ultras”, which has nine hundred dedicated members, are located. This student organized group was formed in 2010.  Their goal is to create a rich and exciting environment for the players through chants and cheers that can be seen on their YouTube page. This stadium is famous for its energy efficiency measures such as high efficiently hot water heater, occupancy sensors control lighting, automatic controls for external lighting, and roof top units are on an occupancy schedule allowing the temperature setting to be dialed back when building is not occupied. Some other sustainability features are they provided vegetated open space adjacent to the building that is at minimum equal to the building footprint, and use of building products that incorporate recycled content materials, thereby reducing impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials, such as structural steel, carpet, athletic flooring.

Events

U-M stadium is known for its annual children camps (ages 7-18) where current players become mentors and make lifelong impacts through the beautiful game. There are private recruiting weekends. a couple times a year. It has also hosted several proposals and has even hosted a wedding for a past player. They have hosted several church services and even have had some baptisms on the field. Local club scrimmages and training's happen in the facility as well. Overall the staff is protective over maintaining the fields.

References

Hansen, Tiffany. (2020, February 10). Phone Interview [Lapanowski, Hannah]

U-M Soccer Stadium. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/facilities-soccer-complex-html.aspx

U-M Soccer Stadium Information Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mgoblue.com/sports/2017/6/16/facilities-soccer-complex-guide-html.aspx

Ross, Lena (2020, February 11). Phone Interview [Lapanowski, Hannah]