June 10, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart announced that Kentucky’s new $7.7 million dollar soccer complex will be named the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex, after longtime UK Athletics supporters Wendell and Vickie Bell, at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting.
“I can think of no greater way to say thank you to a couple that means so much to UK Athletics than to name our state-of-the-art soccer facility after Wendell and Vicki,” Barnhart said. “They embody humility, caring and love for the student-athletes and staff that work here at the University. We are so appreciative of their friendship and their continued support of our programs.”
“Wendell and Vickie embody the best of what it means to be a friend of the university,” UK President Dr. Eli Capilouto said. “They have given us not only of their resources, they have given generously of their time and with their hearts to our student-athletes. The honor today of naming our new soccer complex is an appropriate way to say thank you for their commitment and dedication to the University of Kentucky and our students whom we all serve.”
The Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex will house separate facilities for the men’s and women’s programs, including new team rooms, player lounges, locker areas, coaches offices, press box and a gorgeous new grandstand. Combined with the 2011 additions of a $100,000 playing surface, a new video tower and a video board, it will immediately set the standard for college soccer facilities.
“This is a great moment for UK Soccer,” UK men’s soccer head coach Johan Cedergren said. “Wendell and Vickie are true Wildcats through and through. We are lucky to have their support for this program and we greatly admire all that they have done for UK Athletics.”
“Wendell and Vickie have meant so much to our program over the last few years and it is an honor to name our new home after them,” UK women’s soccer head coach Jon Lipsitz said. “We are not able to build one of the best college soccer facilities in the country without their graciousness and we are thankful for that. They have been unbelievable friends to me and we have developed a special relationship. It means a great deal to me personally and for our program to bestow this honor on our new complex.”
The new facility, completed in the spring of 2014, will be ready to be showcased for the fall season. The opening of the stadium will come on Sunday, August 31 as the UK women will face Ohio University at 2 p.m. ET and followed by the men’s team playing Belmont at 4 p.m. ET.
“Wendell and Vickie have always been such gracious people to the University of Kentucky, and the athletic department for all 22 of our sports,” Senior Associate AD for Development Candice Chaffin said. “We are so appreciative of them and it is our honor to put the new soccer facility in their name. We are very thankful for all that they do, and we are lucky to have them as Wildcats.”
UK worked with Luckett & Farley, the largest architectural firm in Kentucky, to design the stadium.
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