Governors State University builds soccer stadium in the Southland: A home for champions

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill., Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Governors State University (GovState) Jaguars are counting down the days until they can practice on their own field. 

Located near residence hall Prairie Place, the field was recently cleared for the first soccer stadium in GovState history. The facility will replace barren, dry ground with a state-of-the-art playing surface with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rated turf, creating a compelling place for athletes to train and compete, with covered benches for players and seating for up to 400 fans. Prior to the June groundbreaking, GovState soccer players practiced and hosted games off campus in Crown Point, Indiana, which will remain their home away from home until the facility is ready – expected this fall.

The stadium is a long-awaited goal of GovState Men's Soccer Coach Matthew Eggert, who recently spoke about this flagship opportunity that will allow the coaches to be more responsive to student schedules, as well as to host more games and tournaments. 

"The inspiration for this was to be able to create a college-level stadium that not only motivates our athletes and provides better recruitment possibilities but to provide opportunities for the community to see us, and see what Governors State means by excellence and how high we hold those standards." 

Eggert has served as the men's soccer coach since 2019 when soccer was introduced at the University. Establishing soccer was a giant step for GovState athletics which only began in 2014, marking this year as the 11^th anniversary. In those years, campus morale and wins have soared. 

Eggert is excited, too, about the boost in international students on the men and women's soccer teams, comprised of 80 students with 15 international students this year from 13 different countries. 

"We are proud of the fact that in the past three years we've been in national tournaments, with the most domestic players on our team than anyone in the tournament. It's cool to see us giving equal opportunity to the local players as well as around the world."

He said the new soccer facility builds on momentum. 

"Anytime that you're able to graduate 10 seniors and move five players onto the Division 1 level, everyone should take pride in that and being part of the program."

Check out the schedule on the GovState athletics website. 

SOURCE Governors State University