Catawba College's Soccer Stadium at E.B. Frock Fields on campus is re-opening this season with many new features that will appeal to fans and players alike. College officials plan a brief re-opening ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 4, before the first home game of the '14-'15 season, when men's soccer takes on Lees-McCrae.
The work to the soccer stadium has spanned two summers and involved both the men's and women's soccer teams and the support of the local business community. New bleachers, raised three and a half feet off the ground at the first row to 13 feet off the ground at the eighth row, allow an increased seating capacity of 524 and better viewing for fans. Fans with special needs can now access these bleachers thanks to a wheelchair ramp and six spaces set aside to accommodate wheelchair and companion seating.
Other improvements include sidewalks that extend from the parking lot all the way to the spectator seating area and to both team bench areas. New team bench areas have been constructed with large storage spaces for Catawba's men's and women's soccer teams. A new, second level press box for sports information staff to work from during matches is located above the team bench areas. Wireless internet access is available in the press box and will allow for live online streaming of matches.
Perhaps the most notable feature at the soccer stadium is the new scoreboard, funded by F&M and Cheerwine. This scoreboard has a better field orientation and is in easy line of sight for fans.
New fencing has been installed and the backstop behind the goals has been relocated. A new windscreen with custom graphics has also been erected. A brick patio area that can display commemorative bricks to honor alumni and friends is another hallmark of the soccer stadium improvements.
In addition to Cheerwine and F&M, stadium improvements were also provided by generous donations from Taylor Clay, Mid Carolina, Pro Mats, Auto House of Salisbury, and Shelton Concrete.
Frock Fields is named in honor of the late E.B. Frock of Hanover, Pa., a 1933 alumnus who was a longtime trustee and a generous supporter of Catawba. Frock's three grandchildren, all Catawba alumni, were on hand when the fields were dedicated. They include Carole Frock Baublitz '82 of Hanover, Pa., Julie F. Crapster '87 of Charlotte, and John D. Frock '91 of Littlestown, Pa. Their father, E.B. Frock's son Dan of Hanover, Pa., has established an endowment fund to maintain Frock Fields. A posthumous gift from the estate of the late E.B. Frock and wife Rebecca was used to establish the E.B. and Rebecca B. Frock First Family Scholarship fund at Catawba.
