July 25, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Jeffrey Field, home of Penn State soccer, will sport the country's first soccer-specific collegiate outdoor performance center this fall. The center, located under the bleachers at the stadium, will feature a plethora of workout equipment, including four state-of-the-art custom-designed ProStar Power Racks, VertiMax training, a plyometric training area, balance training devices, TRX, multiple sets of dumbbells, free weights, spin bikes and regeneration equipment.
"The new facility is going to be so unique," Penn State head coach Bob Warming said. "It's been something I have wanted to have at a training facility for 20 years and to see it happen is just wonderful. Our men's soccer team owes a big thanks to Mark Bodenschatz, our Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations, acting Director of Athletics Dave Joyner and new head trainer Tim Bream for their tremendous support of this project."
"The model will be unique in helping us develop our soccer players to their fullest potential," Warming continued. "We will have not only our head strength and conditioning coach involved every day but also four interns who will help facilitate and monitor individualized programs for our players. Guys who play two 90-minute matches a week need a completely different regeneration program and conditioning program than someone who played 30 minutes in one match. Guys who didn't play, guys who are recovering from injury, guys who played 60 minutes, they each will have interns working with them on their program right at the training field. It's going to be fantastic for our players."
The team will also enjoy the services of full-time nutritionist Kristine Clark, Ph.D. She will oversee the creation of specialized diets based on each player's periodization of training.
The performance center is the latest in a line of upgrades to Jeffrey Field, which was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1972. Located in the heart of the Penn State athletic facilities complex with a picturesque view of Mount Nittany, the stadium was named in honor of the late Bill Jeffrey, legendary head coach of the soccer program from 1926-52.
To meet the expanding needs of its teams and Penn State fans, Jeffrey Field was first refurbished in 1978. Bleachers with a capacity of 3,500 were added, along with fencing and an adjacent practice field. New lights were added prior to the 1996 season.
During the summer of 2003, Jeffrey Field again underwent a facelift. In addition to the installation of a new field surface, a press box and a video booth were also added, and the bleachers were expanded to a capacity of 5,000. In the next phase, the addition of locker rooms and restroom facilities are planned.
Jeffrey Field has been the host site for numerous NCAA and conference contests in men's and women's soccer and men's and women's lacrosse. Games are frequently televised from Jeffrey Field, allowing a nationwide audience to view Penn State in action.
Widely regarded as one of the finest grass surfaces in the country, Jeffrey Field was honored as the 2006 Collegiate Soccer Field of the Year by the SportsTurf Managers Association.