Westcott Field

[PK]

SMU hoping to build on soccer success
Trip to College Cup has school optimistic about upgrading Westcott



09:11 PM CST on Saturday, December 10, 2005
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News


CARY, N.C – SMU's run to the College Cup that ended with a 4-1 loss to Maryland in the national semifinals Friday night could bode well for the future of the program.

SMU officials hope the postseason push will help them raise money to upgrade Westcott Field. The Mustangs' playing surface, stands and press box would get a facelift.

Phase One of the project would be fixing the playing surface to improve the drainage system, then lengthening the field so it fits NCAA standards.

SMU's ability to host NCAA tournament events is hampered because the field is not regulation size. The Mustangs played three of their four tournament games on the road. Clemson, another College Cup semifinalist, hosted three of its four tournament games. Maryland hosted all three of its tournament games.

SMU officials, led by senior associate athletic director Carlton Cooper, want to bid on future College Cups. NCAA soccer committee members are more likely to give smaller venues the bids. SMU was interested in bringing the College Cup to Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, but NCAA officials deem that facility too big and pro-oriented.

Ford Stadium, site of the 2002 College Cup, had decent crowds, however, the NCAA wasn't thrilled with a football stadium being used to host the national semifinals in soccer.

School officials have blueprints for how the new Westcott Field would look and are in the process of scheduling meetings with financial supporters through senior associate athletic director Scott Secules. There is no timetable for the start of the project.

"The first thing you do is express the need," athletic director Jim Copeland said. "We can do it. It's about raising the funds. We think we have a top-10 soccer program that can go to the next level, and maybe the [upgraded] facility helps us become a dominant program."

The Mustangs (14-6-3) lose only four seniors but return four freshmen who started against Maryland on Friday.

"We have a very young team, and I think that you will see that it's going to be competitive next year," senior Duke Hashimoto said.

Leading that charge is freshman Paulo da Silva, who came on late in the season to finish second on the team to Hashimoto with eight goals and 20 points. SMU coach Schellas Hyndman also is excited about freshmen Bruno Guarda and Daniel Lopez.

Both goalkeepers return with experience. Steve Sandbo, who started the season until an ankle injury sidelined him, went 7-4-2. Matt Wideman went 7-2-1 as his replacement.

"In the college game, you play a style of soccer that will attract the players, and hopefully, will keep your program at a high level," Hyndman said. "I think these boys have made an amazing run, and they played with so much character."

E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com

[Pony_Fan]

I guess Watkin's reads this board

[Pony_Fan]

I guess Watkins reads this board

[smupony94]

How much to fix up wescott?

[Horseshoe]

I guess Watkins reads this board

Yeah, he does.

[Horseshoe]

If Carl Westcott isn't among those who Pony Up for renovations, would the name of the field change (Lamar Hunt Field, Gerald J. Ford Field, etc.)?

[MrMustang1965]

sorry about that...thought i put it up under 'new post'...see 'Candice Davis - Future Mustang Volleyballer' thread.

[smupony94]

Wescott is a volleyball field too?

[HorsePower]

I was wondering the same thing.

[HorsePower]

A 5-7 middle blocker?
Isn't that sort of like a 210-pound offensive tackle?