Varsity Soccer Complex

Purdue soccer has received noticeable improvements to its facilities in recent years. The Boilermakers were presented with their own locker room and clubhouse on the lower level of Mackey Arena at the start of the 2006 season. The soccer players' hangout includes a flat-screen TV hooked up to an XBox 360, plus a jukebox, magazines, mini-fridge and furniture. Each of the lockers are personalized and have enough room to store shoes, socks, shin guards and several pairs of shorts and uniforms. Lock boxes are installed at the base of each locker to secure personal items.

The Boilermakers received their own hustle board before the 2008 season kicked off. The board, located outside the team's locker room, keeps track of each game's leader in shots, shots on goal, heading duels, second balls, fouls and regained possessions in the attacking half.

The Varsity Soccer Complex field underwent a major facelift in the spring of 2007. The additions include a state-of-the-art drainage system and Bermuda grass surface. The cement dugouts were removed and replaced by Plexiglas shelters with aluminum benches.

The facility improvements, designed by Dan Almond of Millenium Sports Architect in Colorado, are a point of pride for head coach Robert Klatte.

The improvements started with the installation of the Quik-Drain system, which is a series of sand-filled slits in the field subsurface. The slits, placed approximately 20 inches apart down the entire length of the field, direct water straight into buried drainage lines that carry water off the field.

The top four inches of field surface are a special mixture of sand varieties that not only allow for good drainage, but also bind together with the grass root structure to create a very solid soccer field.

Even more upgrades are planned in time for the 2012 season. A centrally located press box and team building will house the home team locker room, lounge, meeting area and athletic training facility, as well as the visiting team meeting room, concessions and public restrooms. A new grandstand will be erected on the west side of the primary game field.

The second-level press area will have room for media, radio and television announcers, as well as game-day staff. Lights also will be installed to allow for night games and potentially even more television coverage.

Purdue has played well on its home pitch, putting together a 78-23-11 (.754) all-time mark at the Varsity Soccer Complex entering the 2010 season. In the three seasons since the new turf was added, the Boilermakers are 28-4-5 (.824) at home.

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Purdue Boilermakers