Oct. 26, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Santa Clara University and the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer announced today that the Earthquakes will use Buck Shaw Stadium as their primary venue for the majority of their games for the 2008 and 2009 MLS seasons.
In exchange for using the Broncos' home soccer field for their games, the Earthquakes will make a significant investment in the infrastructure at Buck Shaw Stadium and the soccer practice facility. The upgrades include renovating of the soccer practice field (Stanton Field), adding 5,000 temporary seats to the stadium to bring capacity close to 12,000, as well as adding a portable state-of-the-art digital video board and new public address system. The project will also reconfigure the lights specifically for soccer and expand the hospitality areas.
"We are proud to have the San Jose Earthquakes call Buck Shaw Stadium home," said Dan Coonan, Santa Clara University Director of Athletics and Recreation. "The upgrades to the stadium and practice field will greatly benefit our nationally recognized soccer programs as they continue to compete with the best collegiate teams in the country. We look forward to a strong relationship with the Earthquakes in the future with the potential of hosting College Cups and other soccer events in the South Bay."
"We are excited to be able to work with the Santa Clara University to provide a quality venue for the Earthquakes for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, as we look for a permanent home for the Earthquakes in the San Jose area," stated Michael Crowley, San Jose Earthquakes President. "We look forward to making upgrades to Buck Shaw Stadium in order to improve the soccer experience for not only Earthquake fans but also Santa Clara soccer fans."
Buck Shaw Stadium was named after former Santa Clara football coach, Lawrence T. "Buck" Shaw, and has served as a showcase for Santa Clara sporting events since the facility opened in 1962. Besides serving as the home for the Broncos men's and women's soccer teams, the facility also housed Santa Clara football until 1992 and baseball until 2005. Buck Shaw Stadium also served as a practice site for the Brazilian and Romanian National Teams during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The Broncos hosted a College Cup in 1996 when sell-out crowds watched the women's College Cup at Buck Shaw Stadium.
"We couldn't be more excited to have the San Jose Earthquakes back in Major League Soccer and playing here at Santa Clara University," said Santa Clara men's soccer head coach Cameron Rast. "While they build their new home we look forward to forging what we know will be a long and lasting relationship. The opportunity to have such a partnership between our two organizations can only help soccer flourish in this area of the country."
"I am very exited about our new partnership with the Earthquakes for several reasons," said SCU women's soccer head coach Jerry Smith. "Having grown up in the Bay Area, I've been a Earthquakes fan for more than 30 years and have seen how passionate the local soccer fans are about the sport, so I'm excited that Santa Clara University is able to play a role in bringing professional soccer back to the area. This agreement also means significant upgrades to the soccer facilities here on campus. The improvements to our training field and stadium will allow us to train our players more effectively and provide an even better atmosphere on game day. This is truly a win-win scenario."
The agreement between Santa Clara University and the San Jose Earthquakes is subject to the City of Santa Clara approving a permit to allow games to be played at Buck Shaw Stadium.