DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The College of St. Scholastica is pleased to announce that Saints Field, home of the men's and women's soccer teams, will soon have a new look, a new feel and a new name. Kenny Harkins Field will open next academic year for the 2023-24 season with new FieldTurf, replacing the current turf that has been in use since 2008.
"This is an exciting project to have on the books for the College. With St. Scholastica's recent move to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), installing turf will allow our players to practice and compete on the same surface as the other schools within the conference. We are excited for our soccer teams—as well as the Saints football team, which practices here—to have access to this space next year," said Jessica Cherry, incoming Director of Athletics and Recreation.
The new field is scheduled to be named in honor of Kenny Harkins, St. Scholastica's longtime coach who started the men's soccer program at the College in 1978 and became the head coach of the women's program in 1994. Harkins was inducted into the St. Scholastica Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.
Major support for the project came from alumnus Dan Seeler, former CSS soccer and hockey player, 2013 Hall of Fame inductee, former trustee and Kenny's first recruit to the soccer program in 1978.
"Kenny Harkins was an important mentor, coach, and friend to me during my time at St. Scholastica, where he continues to coach and influence student-athletes today. I am proud to be honoring his work and celebrating this dedication next year," said CSS alumnus Dan Seeler.
St. Scholastica President Barbara McDonald added, "Dan's support for St. Scholastica and our athletic programs sets a new mark as we seek to enhance our facilities with the move to the MIAC conference. The College is so grateful to Dan for his vision, dedication and incredible support for our student athletes."
Beyond installing FieldTurf, St. Scholastica is looking to make additional improvements to the field. According to Merissa Edwards, Interim Athletic Director since 2021, "It has been a pleasure working with Dan and other avid supporters of Saints Athletics to bring some of these dreams to life. Together with the Sisters of St. Scholastica, we are exploring additional enhancements that will greatly improve those athletic spaces and student experiences. I am proud of what we have accomplished and I look forward to seeing how these projects continue to take shape."
The dedication of Kenny Harkins Field is currently scheduled for summer 2023. This project is an Emerging Priority within St. Scholastica's A Second Century of Saints: Believe. Belong. Transform. campaign, which seeks to raise $62.6 million by June 2023. For more information, visit css.edu/campaign.
