The 2004 championships will break new ground for the tournament. Usually, tournament qualifiers would submit bids to host selected rounds at participating institutions. Logistically, planning and travel were extremely difficult for the participants and the hosts.

A pre-determined site will help in both the planning and execution of the event, with the expectation to improve on an already strong product. Additionally, a neutral site will level the playing field for those competing programs that advance to the finals.

“We believe Greensboro will provide an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, which is the most important thing,” said Mike Mooney, chair of the NCAA Division III men’s soccer committee. “With four men’s and four women’s teams competing in Greensboro, we expect a festival atmosphere that will enhance the experience. Also, Greensboro’s mild climate should provide good conditions for the games.

“In recent years, the NCAA has returned to Salem, Va. for its Division III men’s basketball and football championships,” Mooney added. “Fox Cities in Wisconsin has been the baseball site, so there’s an opportunity for Greensboro to be our ‘Soccer City.’”

2004 Tournament: A Team Effort

Greensboro’s selection as host of the 2004 Division III soccer championships was due to the combined efforts of a number of local groups and individuals. Greensboro College, the Greensboro Youth Soccer Association, the Greensboro Sports Commission, the Greensboro Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, as well as the Carolina Dynamo all worked cooperatively to secure the bid.

“The best word I can think of is ‘exciting’ to describe this event,” Greensboro Sports Commission Director Marc Bush said. “Greensboro is known for its strong soccer community and its ability to host many different regional and national events.

“We’re glad the NCAA recognized these strengths and gave us an opportunity to host the Division III men’s and women’s championships. While we are elated with the result, the next steps will include extensive planning and preparation for the games. The people who helped secure the bid, and many others in the community, will play integral roles in making the championships a success.”

Macpherson Stadium at Bryan Park

The 2004 soccer championships will be held at Macpherson Stadium, the crown jewel of the Bryan Park Soccer Complex. The soccer-specific venue has been home for the Carolina Dynamo of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) for the past two seasons.

Macpherson Stadium offers permanent covered seating on its south side for 1600 spectators. Four hundred of those are molded plastic box seats. Fans are sheltered under the venue’s European style roof. The soccer complex also includes surrounding fields that will be used for practice the day prior to the championships. As part of the bid, event organizers will add additional bleachers to the field’s north side, as well as other amenities.

The Greensboro Youth Soccer Association and the Dynamo built Macpherson Stadium jointly. Named after Geoffrey Macpherson, the late father of Dynamo owner Neil Macpherson, the venue is lauded for its top-quality natural grass playing surface.

In addition to the Dynamo and the Lady Dynamo (formerly Twisters), the stadium hosts local colleges and youth teams. Last year, the Dynamo was the regular season champion of the D-3 Pro League. In 2004, the club will compete in the USL’s Premiere Development League.

Greensboro College Pride Soccer

The Greensboro College men’s soccer program has qualified for ten straight--and 12 overall--NCAA Tournament bids. The Pride women have reached the last two NCAA tournaments.

In 2002, GC hosted the DIAC (now USA South) Tournament at Macpherson Stadium. Last year, The Pride played two regular season games and hosted its tournament—the Spevco Pride Classic—at the venue.

About Bryan Park

The planning for Bryan Park, which began in the 1960s, was to create a family-oriented recreational facility and golf complex. In 1970, Greensboro voters approved a $950,000 bond issue for developing the site. The park was dedicated in May of 1971 to Joseph and Kathleen Bryan in honor of their interest and support of the community,.

Bryan Park offers more than just a top-notch soccer complex. The site offers two 18-hole championship golf courses; picnic and park facilities; beautiful Lake Townsend; the Jim Batten Soccer Training Facility; and the Precision Golf School—headed by Greensboro College Golf Coach Robert Linville,

The address for Macpherson Stadium is 6105 Townsend Rd., Brown Summit, N.C., 27242. Bryan Park is located approximately 11 miles north of Greensboro’s downtown in the Northeast section of Guilford County. The soccer complex is easily accessed off Highway 29 and Summit Ave.