Soccer Stadium Nears Goal with Gift from Savings Bank of Walpole
KEENE, N.H. 2/15/03 - The soccer stadium construction project at Keene State College has moved a step nearer to completion, thanks to a $10,000 gift from Savings Bank of Walpole.
The gift will fund the building of a ticket and information booth for the new stadium, one of the last components of the project. With its new grass field, the soccer stadium is one of the highest quality soccer facilities in New England. It allows KSC to host more collegiate soccer games, professional matches, high school tournament action, youth soccer programs, and championship games than in years before.
The Savings Bank of Walpole has supported KSC athletics throughout the years, said John Ratliff, KSC athletic director. This gift to the soccer stadium is just one more indicator of their support not only of KSC intercollegiate athletics, but of the Keene community as a whole. We are very grateful for their continued involvement in our program.
Ratliff says the booth will bear the name of Savings Bank of Walpole. The soccer field construction project is due to be completed this fall.
Keene State College is an important community partner, said Don Tisdale, president and CEO of Savings Bank of Walpole. Helping our partners grow is a critical part of our mission. We were particularly pleased to contribute to the soccer stadium because it is not only an exciting project for the College, but will also contribute to the vitality of the entire community by attracting players and fans from all over the Northeast.
Soccer has been one of Keene States strongest intercollegiate sports the past few years. Last fall, both the men and womens teams were Little East Conference tournament champions. The Colleges soccer coaches, Ron Butcher and Denise Lyons, were selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association as division III New England coaches of the year.
Additionally, Keene community and other soccer organizations use the new soccer stadium. Currently, Keene State hosts soccer clubs and leagues for all ages from pre-kindergarten youth through professional players.
