BYU's South Field has a long, storied history.

Women's coach Jennifer Rockwood played for the Cougars club program 24 years ago and remembers walking the field the night before the first game BYU played as a Division I program in 1995, also her first as a D-I coach.

Former BYU Women's Athletic Director Elaine Michaelis, who spent more than 50 years as a teacher, coach and administrator at the school, pointed to the northwest corner of the field to indicate where she pitched in a softball game.

The newest chapter in South Field history is a nearly $1 million face lift, announced Monday at a groundbreaking ceremony. The upgrade, which will begin March 17 and finish on July 4, includes permanent seating for 2,140, improved stadium lights and a new entranceway. There's going to be a new name, too: Stadium at South Field.

"It's an investment in the future of the soccer programs," BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe said. "It elevates the overall feel and look of the programs. It will help the recruiting and the community will benefit. There have been multiple games here where people have had to sit on the ground or stand. We're going to make this a championship-caliber facility."

The 26-foot high, 216-foot wide structure will include 20 rows of grandstands with 816 chair seats and 1,324 bench-back seats. Six light poles will be installed, which will more than double the existing lighting. The project was funded by a university replenishment fund as well as private donations.

Watkins and Rockwood both described the experience as "overwhelming."

"It's great to have people who believe in us," Watkins said. "It's so amazing, I don't know what to say to them. The players were just blown away when they saw the drawings for the first time and when we heard back from Salt Lake City that it had been approved. This facility will be right up there with the best of them in the PDL."

The BYU men's soccer program won six collegiate club championships and in 2003, left for the PDL. In 2007, BYU finished with a 14-2-2 record, a Northwest Division championship and a trip to the Western Conference Finals. The men will play about half of their league schedule at Haws Field as the work is being done. The women's program has also been very successful, finishing in the top 10 nationally in 10 of the past 11 seasons and making runs to the Sweet 16 in 1998 and 2000 and the Final Eight in 2003. Last year, 4,742 fans packed South Field in a 3-2 win over Colorado, the second largest crowd for a women's athletic event in BYU history. Holmoe said temporary bleachers could still be brought in to accommodate larger crowds.

"We had three of our Utah recruits and their families here for the ceremony," Rockwood said. "This project will greatly enhance the game experience for our local fans. We are so looking forward to filling the stands. We have great support from the community and the students."

Former Timpview standout Jessica Carter will be a senior on the BYU women's team next season, which opens at home Aug. 29 against Georgia.

"We're all excited," Carter said. "I wish we had more home games next season. We've been playing well for a while and it's nice for the university to give us this recognition. It's great to have this opportunity."

Holmoe said other organizations on campus, including student classes and the men's club lacrosse team, will have opportunities to play in the Stadium at South Field.

Dant Clayton Corporation of Louisville, Ky., has been contracted to complete the project.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it