Cecil College celebrates new turf field
Published on June 14, 2023
NORTH EAST, Md. – This week, Cecil College expanded its athletics facilities with local and college guests in attendance at the official ribbon cutting for the new turf field on the North East Campus.
“Today, we celebrate the new Seahawk Turf Field, which marks a new chapter for Cecil College’s Athletics program. I want to thank the state of Maryland for their generous support of this project. Our student-athletes can now practice and compete here on the North East campus,” said Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt.
This turf field is located next to the Physical Education Complex and replaces the grass field. Members of Cecil College men’s soccer and prospective women’s soccer teams were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, but this field can also be used for other athletics.
Cecil College fielded its first soccer teams in 1972, and the Seahawks have been playing at Calvert Regional Park for the past five seasons. The addition of the turf field bodes well for Cecil College’s recruiting for men’s and women’s soccer programs.
“Facilities are always a key piece to the recruitment of new student-athletes; upgrading the field will help strengthen the programs. It will also allow us to host NJCAA Regional tournaments. In speaking with current team members, they are extremely excited to get started on the new field,” said Cecil College Athletic Director Ed Durham.
Cecil College currently fields men’s and women’s athletic programs in soccer, cross country, and basketball, along with baseball, softball, and women’s volleyball.
Plans for this new turf field began in September 2022 with funding provided through Maryland’s Community College Grant Program. SCG Fields, which specializes in constructing high-performance natural grass and synthetic turf athletic facilities, was the contractor and engineering firm with Shaw Sports Turf managing turf installation. The field design incorporates an enhanced field drainage system and upgraded electrical infrastructure to include a new electrical supply on both sidelines.
“This project enhances and supports the College’s mission to provide top-notch facilities for our students. The College appreciates the collaboration with our State and County agency partners as it relates to project funding along with design reviews and permitting that facilitated the successful implementation of this project,” said Vice President of Finance and Administration Christopher Mills.