Facilities
Southwell Complex |
|
 |
 |
The Arena of
Southwell Complex |
The Courts of Southwell Complex |
The Arena of the Southwell Complex has been the home for Columbia College volleyball and basketball since 1988. Named for Virginia Southwell Singletary, Southwell Complex, which is now air-conditioned, includes The Arena, and The Courts. The Arena underwent extensive renovations in 2002 and now includes more than 550 chair-back seats and seating for 1,000. In addition to The Arena, Southwell Complex houses The Courts, which includes two courts for basketball, volleyball or tennis. It is open for free play and intramural activities for all Columbia College students, faculty and staff and serves as home for several youth sports camps throughout the year. Southwell Complex also includes the Columbia College Athletic Hall of Fame, state-of-the-art sound system, two sets of locker rooms, game-day training room, merchandise store, conference room, concession area and ticket office. In addition, the offices of Assistant Director of Athletics Brad Jenks, Women's Basketball Coach Mike Davis, Volleyball Coach Melinda Wrye-Washington and Coordinator of Intramurals/Facilities Manager Matt Wightman. SouthyThe Southy Building lies just north of Southwell
Complex and is the home of the Training Center. It consists of a 1,000 square
foot athletic training room and an adjoining large, open space, complete
with aerobic and weight-training equipment. Two indoor batting cages and
an artificial turf workout area are also located in
the Southy Building. The Southy Building houses the offices of Athletic
Director and Men's Basketball Coach Bob Burchard, Assistant Basketball
Coach Sean Dooley, Men's Soccer Coach John Klein, Certified Athletic
Trainer Jon Barfknecht and Women's Fastpitch Softball Coach Wendy Spratt.
In the summer of 2000, the foyer of the Southy Building was renovated
along with Burchard's office and new office space for Coordinator of
Athletic Services Kim Kliegel. Regular Hours Holiday Break Hours CLOSED QUESTIONS |
|
 |
 |
| The Turf Room in Southy | The Weight Room in Southy |
R. Marvin Owens Soccer Stadium
Originally built in 1991,
the Cougars' soccer stadium was named after R. Marvin Owens, a member
of the Columbia College Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Finance
Committee. During Owens' tenure, the College has made tremendous
improvements both in its financial position and in campus facilities.
Former Columbia College President Dr. Donald Ruthenberg first
introduced the idea of a new soccer field in 1989.
At that time, the Cougars practiced near the area that is now Stafford Library and played home matches at city parks. When construction of the library was planned, a site for the soccer field was chosen. The area on the north side of campus, which was dissected by Alton Street, a short residential street, was selected. Eventually, the college acquired the necessary properties, obtained permission to partially close Alton Street and started construction. A 500-seat grandstand area on the east side and a media area with a scorer's table, filming platform, and broadcast area have been added to the facility since its construction. A wooden deck for spectators also adds a casual atmosphere for fans of Columbia College soccer.
Cougar Softball Field
Cougar Softball Field has
undergone numerous renovations in recent years. Since it was built in
1982, the field has been upgraded with permanent lighting, portable
bleachers and a batting cage that can be used with a pitching machine.
A protective tarp shields the field from the elements, while a new
drainage system was installed in 1998. This season, fence tubing has
been added and the dugouts and scoreboard have been repainted and
renovated. Since 1986, Columbia College has posted a 175-47 (.788)
home record. The field meets all NAIA dimension standards. Its deepest
point in centerfield is 225 feet.
Only 15 batters have managed to hit a ball out of the park since 1982, and 13 of the 15 - Cozy Bailey, Rachel Casey, Jen Kamp, Laura Small, Julie Wyrick, Natalie Buitink, Kristina Jones, Katie Dooley, Amy Seipp, Megan Kuntze, Heather Lang and Amanda Rhorer - were Cougars. Casey set a school record in the 1995 season by belting three home runs in a doubleheader sweep of Iowa Wesleyan College. Cougar Softball Field also plays host to the Columbia College High School Softball Invitational Tournament. The annual event has grown from a three-team field in its inaugural season in 1988 to eight teams for the upcoming season. The 1994 American Midwest Conference tournament was also played at the field. Cougar Field also plays host to the National Junior College Athletic Association Regional Tournament. The event has been held at the field since 1994.