LATROBE, Pa. – Steelers President Art Rooney II, a Saint Vincent College Board Member, was among those taking part in a groundbreaking ceremony for UPMC Field at Saint Vincent College.
The existing turf field, which was installed in 2008, will be torn up and an upgraded synthetic turf field will be installed, ready for use in May, 2018.
"We are looking for a first-class artificial field to match the quality of Chuck Noll's natural grass," said Brother Norman W. Hipps, President of Saint Vincent College. "We want to provide accommodations for our fans as well."
The field will be used by Saint Vincent College men's and women's soccer and lacrosse teams, camps, competitions, and by the Steelers during training camp when the grass fields at Chuck Noll Field are too wet to utilize.
"This will be a great upgrade and addition to what already exists here," said Rooney. "It will benefit our players during training camp, as well as the student athletes and others at Saint Vincent College."
UPMC, a partner of the Steelers, is the main contributor to the project, along with other private donors.
Dr. Jeanne Doperak, sports medicine physician at UPMC, said the new field will be a benefit to all who use it.
"The original field has aged," said Doperak. "It needs a lot of updates. It's going to be a great addition to the campus, not only for the student athletes, but for the Steelers when they are here in the summer. Whenever we get a wet day, it's going to be better and safer for the athletes to practice on the new turf field.
"As all things evolve, putting in turf evolves. This is going to be the latest in technology as far as being a turf field, but mimicking a grass field."
