App State breaks floor on new, 85,000-square-foot indoor follow facility

BOONE, N.C. — On Aug. 15, Appalachian State University broke floor on a brand new, 85,000-square-foot multiuse indoor follow facility situated on the Boone campus. The multiuse complicated will substitute the college’s earlier Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility and have a 100-yard-long synthetic turf subject supporting a number of athletics applications.

The bigger facility will even improve its scope, to serve extra areas throughout campus and permit for public–personal well being care collaborations.

“This new building isn’t just about ensuring App State athletes can train and practice,” mentioned App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “It’s also about adding to the App State Experience, broadening possibilities for students, faculty and staff to enhance their education and applied research and practice opportunities, while preparing students for the workforce.”

App State Board of Trustee Vice Chair Tommy Sofield ’76, his spouse, Debbie Sofield ’77, and their household made a lead gift in 2023 that provides a solid financial foundation for the new Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility, which shall be situated adjoining to Kidd Brewer Stadium. The Sofields additionally donated the lead reward for the earlier Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility that opened in October 2007. Tommy, who served as captain of the 1975 Mountaineers soccer crew that went 8–3 with wins over East Carolina, Wake Forest and South Carolina, has been a profitable businessman and actual property developer in Boone since graduating from App State.

At the occasion, Tommy Sofield mirrored on the life-changing alternative that his App State athletic scholarship offered and his pleasure in regards to the capability to assist future college students.

“(App State) saw me and said, ‘Hey, we want to invest in you and give you a scholarship.’ And that meant so much, that it gives my family the opportunity to be able to give back,” he mentioned. “Over the next generation, there will be thousands of students who will be able to use this facility — to work hard, understand what it is to be a winner and what it takes to succeed in life.”

App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin opened the ceremony by acknowledging the numerous assist App State Athletics has acquired for this initiative — mentioning a number of key contributors who had been in attendance on the groundbreaking ceremony. He additionally thanked the University of North Carolina System, App State’s Board of Trustees and Chancellor Norris for his or her assist and confidence all through the planning course of.

To be taught extra in regards to the new Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility and to comply with its development progress, go to the App State’s Future website.

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About Mountaineer Athletics

More than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports activities at Appalachian State University, and devoted followers like to cheer them on. App State’s championship soccer crew has loved unprecedented success on the highest stage of Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision) with seven bowl wins in its first 10 years on the FBS stage and 4 Sun Belt Conference championships. The Mountaineers had been a dominant pressure within the Southern Conference for greater than 40 years earlier than transferring up in 2014. App State student-athletes in all sports activities pursue day by day complete excellence in teachers, competitors and neighborhood involvement. All varsity groups compete within the Sun Belt Conference, apart from subject hockey (MAC) and wrestling (SoCon). For extra, go to https://www.appstatesports.com.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public establishment, Appalachian State University prepares college students to steer purposeful lives. App State is considered one of 17 campuses within the University of North Carolina System, with a nationwide popularity for progressive instructing and opening entry to a high-quality, cost-effective training. The college enrolls greater than 21,000 college students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and provides greater than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and thru App State Online. Learn extra at https://www.appstate.edu.