Field gets new turf for practice, but no games yet

The Dons football practice returns to campus this semester following a one-year renovation of the football field. A dynamic synthetic turf replaced the high-maintenance sod infield that would wear down by mid-season.

Sophomore receiver Deacon Moss reflected on how mentally, physically and emotionally draining off-campus practices were last season. “It’s a luxury, really, being able to walk out here on campus and have such a beautiful field,” said Moss.

While the field is open for team practice, there are no scheduled home games because the facility still lacks a press box. 

Regulations prevent schools from hosting home games on fields that don’t have a designated space for announcers, statisticians, scoreboard operators and other communications functions. Officials say they are looking into constructing a temporary press box setup to accommodate at least one home game this season. 

SAC President Annebelle Nery commemorated the field reopening at an event last month with campus leadership, staff and supporters. “When we bring student athletes here to Santa Ana College, we promise them … the best experience, and that includes not just our amazing faculty … but amazing facilities,” Nery said. “This new field is one way that we, at Santa Ana College, can say that we recognize and celebrate student athletes.”

Total costs for the project grew to $7.3 million including related drainage infrastructure, a field cooling system, accessibility compliance and a new digital video scoreboard, according to a May 19 SAC Facilities & Safety Committee Meeting Project Update. Funding came from capital outlay funds that Nery set aside as part of her Facilities Improvement Initiative.

“Our leadership understood the assignment and graciously made a commitment to continue to support improvements, repairs, renovations, to all facilities across our division,” Athletics Dean Andrea Picchi said. “Your investments in supporting our students will pay dividends for generations to come.”

After recognizing assistant football coach Geoff Jones for his part in seeing this project through, Associate Dean Mary Hegarty noted, “Today is a special day for SAC Athletics, our student athletes, and our college community. What started as a new turf project evolved into this beautiful facility that will become SAC football’s home.”

The Dons home opener takes place vs. Chaffey College at Eddie West Field/Santa Ana Stadium on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.