Spring Break
Dreaming of future home games
David Cordill
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Sports
A couple of years later, a deal allowing the Kangaroos to use the Kansas City Wizards' practice facilities for home games was discussed and supported by the Department of Athletics. Unfortunately, a proper agreement could not be reached and UMKC scrambled to find an alternative home base.
A suitable arrangement for the 2007 season was made with Rockhurst University. The Roos had also used Rockhurst's stadium for their final games of the 2006 season, when turf conditions at Swope Park were far from ideal.
So, the team was closer to campus, but they still weren't quite home. A faithful following of fans would show up at the matches and the plush turf was immaculate; yet, playing there still felt like we were wearing someone else's shirt.
Several blocks west of Troost Avenue, the UMKC soccer field sat unused for competition; it was not wide enough for NCAA specifications. There were renovation rumors afoot, but no one was talking about where the money was going to come from. That was until last May, when the Stanley H. Durwood Foundation slapped down a cool $5 million for a new stadium.
And what is it that justifies this gift to the UMKC soccer team? Well, the team has gone 29-24-2 in conference play with Head Coach Rick Benben at the helm and they have been one of the more successful sporting entities at the University in recent history.
Now in his 11th season, Benben's teams have reached the NCAA College Cup tournament twice, most recently in 2003. During this time, Benben received conference Coach of the Year honors on three occasions.
With all due respect, some of our teams have conquered much less and still enjoy the benefits of student and alumni patronage. The women's basketball and volleyball teams both play their home games on campus at the Swinney Recreation Center and benefit from the logistics. The men's basketball team plays at a more distant downtown venue (Municipal Auditorium), but its program receives more promotion through its high-profile stature.
The Kangaroos are slated to begin play at the Stanley H. Durwood Stadium during the 2009 season. This year, however, they will once again play all of their home games at Rockhurst.
Most likely due to scheduling conflicts with the athletics department at Rockhurst, the Roos home segment of their 2008 agenda is curiously lumped together over an eight week period. They will play all seven of their home matches during this time frame.
This venue snafu should not be an issue next year. I do plan to take in a few matches when I can, just to see what it's like for our guys to finally play a home game. It's something I really don't want to miss.
dcordill@unews.com
A suitable arrangement for the 2007 season was made with Rockhurst University. The Roos had also used Rockhurst's stadium for their final games of the 2006 season, when turf conditions at Swope Park were far from ideal.
So, the team was closer to campus, but they still weren't quite home. A faithful following of fans would show up at the matches and the plush turf was immaculate; yet, playing there still felt like we were wearing someone else's shirt.
Several blocks west of Troost Avenue, the UMKC soccer field sat unused for competition; it was not wide enough for NCAA specifications. There were renovation rumors afoot, but no one was talking about where the money was going to come from. That was until last May, when the Stanley H. Durwood Foundation slapped down a cool $5 million for a new stadium.
And what is it that justifies this gift to the UMKC soccer team? Well, the team has gone 29-24-2 in conference play with Head Coach Rick Benben at the helm and they have been one of the more successful sporting entities at the University in recent history.
Now in his 11th season, Benben's teams have reached the NCAA College Cup tournament twice, most recently in 2003. During this time, Benben received conference Coach of the Year honors on three occasions.
With all due respect, some of our teams have conquered much less and still enjoy the benefits of student and alumni patronage. The women's basketball and volleyball teams both play their home games on campus at the Swinney Recreation Center and benefit from the logistics. The men's basketball team plays at a more distant downtown venue (Municipal Auditorium), but its program receives more promotion through its high-profile stature.
The Kangaroos are slated to begin play at the Stanley H. Durwood Stadium during the 2009 season. This year, however, they will once again play all of their home games at Rockhurst.
Most likely due to scheduling conflicts with the athletics department at Rockhurst, the Roos home segment of their 2008 agenda is curiously lumped together over an eight week period. They will play all seven of their home matches during this time frame.
This venue snafu should not be an issue next year. I do plan to take in a few matches when I can, just to see what it's like for our guys to finally play a home game. It's something I really don't want to miss.
dcordill@unews.com
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