FLUSHING, N.Y.- A new era is set to begin for the Queens College Men's and Women's Soccer, Track & Field programs as Queens College and the Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated an official groundbreaking ceremony for a brand-new soccer turf field and outdoor track surface.
 
On Wednesday (May 16) afternoon, the Director of Athletics Rob Twible was joined by head coaches Frank Vertullo, Rafael Morais, Robert Davis, and current women's soccer student-athlete Shannon Gibbons as well as Queens College President Frank Wu. 
 
Attending the ceremonies was university leadership, state legislators, coaches, and teams. Local dignitaries in attendance included NYC Council Member James Gennaro, Special Counsel for Ratepayer Protection and alumnus Rory Lancman (a former NYC Council Member and NYS Assembly Member), NYC Council Member Francisco Moya, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, NYS Assembly Member Nily Rozic, NYS Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, and a representative from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
 
"Our new soccer field will be an enormous point of pride for our already beautiful campus. Combined with our other premier athletic facilities already in place, our new soccer field will make Queens College a destination for many of the region's top prospective athletes." Stated Queens College President Frank Wu. "As you know, Queens College is an NCAA Division II school, but our student-athletes will feel like professionals when they set foot on our new turf field, and our facilities will rival any athletic program in the East Coast Conference."
 
The $9.3 million new facility will replace the grass field, with a brand new synthetic turf NCAA regulation soccer field along a turf practice field, state-of-the-art LED lights, drainage system, and a Daktronics soccer scoreboard along with a new six-lane outdoor track surface is being executed by NY Asphalt Inc.
 
"This is an important day that is so welcomed for our programs," Stated Rob Twible, Director of Athletics & Recreation. "It is nice to see all of the planning and hard work come to fruition. Our vision is to become one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the East Region and adding first-class facilities to our program that already has first-class student-athletes and coaches is a huge step towards that goal."
 
Men's Soccer Head Coach Frank Vertullo
We are all very excited about this project.  This incredible complex and significant investment exemplify Queens College continuing commitment to excellence and puts the student-athletes experience at the forefront. This is such a gift to all the student-athletes here at QC. The future of the soccer programs and athletics at QC is bright and we all look forward to what the future holds, it certainly is a game-changer.  We thank our Athletic Director Rob Twible for his vision, hard work, dedication, and commitment to our student-athletes in getting this project done."
 
Women's Soccer Head Coach Rafael Morais
"This new soccer field is a dream come true to our coaching staff and student-athletes. This field will be a game-changer to our program. We are looking forward to the next chapter."

M/W Cross Country/Track & Field Head Coach Robert Davis
"I am super excited for our new outdoor track. It's going to change the whole dynamics for the Queens College Cross Country/ Track and Field teams and the community. We can't wait to get out there and run."

The project completion target date is Spring of 2022.