OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego State is proud to announce its Laker Turf Stadium Kickoff ceremony, which will take place prior to the men's soccer game against St. Lawrence University at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

In a pre-game ceremony, President Deborah F. Stanley will officially open the facility together with Vice President for Student Affairs Jerald Woolfolk, Director of Athletics Sue Viscomi and esteemed alumnus and member of the 1966 SUNYAC men's soccer championship squad, Dan Scaia, a 1968 Oswego graduate.

The event marks the first contest that will be played at the new $2.37 million state-of-the-art stadium.  

On Sept. 1, the first 200 students in attendance will receive a free "Laker Turf Stadium Kickoff" t-shirt and a free soft pretzel. All members of the Lakers family, whether faculty, staff, students, alumni or the surrounding community, are invited to be in attendance for the ceremony and first game. Following the men's soccer game, fans are encouraged to continue the support as the field hockey team will play its opening contest against William Smith College at 7 p.m.

Both games are open to all free of charge, as are all regular season men's soccer and field hockey games.

"Our department, and especially our student-athletes, are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our beautiful, first-ever turf ?stadium," Viscomi said. "We extend an open invitation to everyone in the local community and hope many will join us on Sept. 1 to make this a memorable event."

The Laker Turf Stadium will be the main competition site for the men's soccer, field hockey, men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse teams while providing practice options for several more sports, including women's soccer, baseball and softball. The facility comes equipped with four light towers to allow practice and games to extend past sunset. There is also a 1,000 seat grandstand for fans, a press box for national, local and student-media groups and a scoreboard, fully-equipped with a color electronic message center.

Continuing with the advantages of the stadium, the press box is divided into three rooms, allowing space for Oswego's student-run television (WTOP-10), radio (WNYO) and newspaper (The Oswegonian) organizations to cover games and hone their craft. Each group will be on hand to cover the kickoff event.

If there are any questions about the event, please contact (315) 312-3056. To request a media pass for the kickoff, please fill out a Credential Request Form.