LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – When Little Rock hosted Arkansas State in an exhibition soccer match on Aug. 7, the temperature climbed to 96 degrees with a heat index well over 100. Still, players felt some relief thanks to a new state-of-the-art artificial turf installed at the Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex in July. The FieldTurf CoolPlay system uses proprietary cooling technology designed to reduce surface temperatures by as much as 35 degrees compared to traditional turf, which typically traps heat.
"The new field at the Coleman Complex has been a game changer," Trojans head coach
Kelly Farrell said. "It's been so nice to be able to train on a quality surface. We are so thankful to everyone who made this project come to life, especially Chancellor Drale, Director of Athletics Frank Cuervo and Associate AD
Garrett Ton."
An official ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m. prior to Little Rock's match against Southeastern Louisiana. The ceremony will feature remarks from Cuervo and UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale, among other special guests.
"We're thrilled to present our renovated soccer field, a facility that embodies our commitment to excellence in athletics and academics," Drale said. "This project is a testament to our dedication to providing our student-athletes with the best possible environment to succeed, both on and off the field. I'm looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our community and showcasing the Trojan spirit that makes UA Little Rock such a special place."
Cuervo and Ton began the process to replace the turf not long after Ton was hired in December.
"I am absolutely thrilled that we were able to enhance the Coleman Sports Complex, a facility that has proudly served as the home of Trojan Soccer for more than a decade," said Little Rock Director of Athletics
Frank M. Cuervo. "This improvement reflects our unwavering commitment to the success, welfare, and overall experience of our student-athletes, and it represents another exciting step forward in the growth of Trojan Athletics. I am deeply grateful to Chancellor Drale and the Board of Trustees for their vision and support in bringing this project to life. Equally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Coleman family, whose name and legacy are woven into the very identity of this complex. Their continued generosity and belief in our mission make a lasting impact on our programs, our student-athletes, and the entire Little Rock community."
The CoolPlay infill technology keeps players more comfortable by adding an exclusive composite top layer to the system. Unlike traditional turf, the material does not absorb heat energy from the sun. The surface also requires no water or irrigation to maintain its effect. More than 200 programs nationwide currently use FieldTurf technology.
"As a senior, playing on this new field has been something special. It's not just a better surface, it's changed the whole atmosphere around the program," said senior midfielder Senni Thake. "Every time we step out there, it reminds us of how far we've come and all the hard work everyone has put in over the years. It's a symbol of commitment from the school, the athletic department, the coaches and every player who's been part of this journey. I'm grateful to get to finish my college career playing on this field and I know it's going to bring even more success to the program."
Thursday's dedication will also serve as Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night, with dignitaries from across campus and the community expected to celebrate what officials call a milestone for the Trojan soccer program.
"This is going to be a truly special night for Little Rock Athletics and Trojan Soccer," said Cuervo. "There's nothing quite like the energy and passion of our fans, and it's always inspiring for our teams to compete in front of loud, enthusiastic crowds. In addition to the action on the pitch, we're proud to showcase and celebrate the incredible work of our UA Little Rock faculty and staff. This promises to be a memorable evening for everyone—students, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans alike. I can't wait to see the Trojan community come together and fill the Coleman Sports Complex on Thursday night!"
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