FULTON – William Woods University on Tuesday broke ground on a new multi-sport stadium that will be home to the first intercollegiate football team in the university's 154-year history. The stadium will also house the Owls men's and women's soccer teams and women's flag football team.
Oulu's first head football coach, Julian Mendes, said the new stadium would have many features.
“We are introducing stadium seating that can accommodate up to 2,500 people,” Mendez said. “We have a press box that will allow us to keep the workers, student workers and (sports information directors) away from the elements of the activity, and of course there will be a scoreboard.”
When designing the stadium, the school wanted to be able to blend old and new.
“We have a great tradition here of watching soccer in the bleachers, laying out blankets and having a family atmosphere,” Mendez said. “We want to recreate that and bring in something a little new.”
What WWU coaches and players are most excited about is the turf field. Mendez believes this asset will change the game for his players.
“I think this increases the speed of the game on the field and increases the speed of the game, but at the same time it's also much safer because of the recent turf measures,” Mendez said.
Safety is extremely important to competition staff. Director of Athletics Steve Wilson also supports adding a turf field to the stadium. He believes this is beneficial, especially when you have to contend with the weather.
“First of all, you don't have to worry about the weather.'' You don't have to do that,” Wilson said.
According to a press release, 2022 and 2023 were the two largest years of growth in WWU history. Wilson believes the new stadium and the addition of the men's football and women's flag football programs are what drew people to WWU.
“It's true that this is helpful,” Wilson said. “Seeing this activity here shows us that we are on track for what will be a first-class small university, football playing facility. That's what excites the young people. .”
According to university officials, the new stadium is expected to be completed by June.
The men's football season begins in the fall with the first home game on September 14th. The girls flag football program's first season will take place during the 2025-2026 school year.
