Daytona Beach, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2017) – This Saturday, Sept. 2, will mark the first regular season soccer game ever played on Daytona State's home turf. The Falcon men's squad will face Georgia Military College at 1 p.m. in the new 800-seat stadium on DSC's Daytona Beach Campus.

Special events are planned for each home event of the 2017 season, including a Sept. 11 recognition for community first responders and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 10. (See schedule below.)

"This venue is an asset for more than just our athletics program," said DSC President Tom LoBasso. "Our vision for this facility has always been to provide a space for the community as a whole. We are looking forward to inviting our local soccer clubs, school groups and other community organizations to partner with us in utilizing and enjoying this stadium."

The facility also provides an opportunity for Volusia and Flagler County residents to pursue a new Associate of Science in Broadcast Television Production degree. Through this program, students gain hands-on experience in broadcasting live sports events and producing a live coaches' show through WDSC-TV, the college's on-campus, public broadcasting station that serves over 4 million viewers across Central Florida. 

Four soccer games will be aired live from the DSC stadium this season. The first scheduled broadcast is slated for 7 p.m. on Sept. 11, when the women's team, ranked No. 11 in the NJCAA preseason poll, takes on Mid-Florida Conference rivals Eastern Florida State College. Prior to the start of the game, DSC will recognize police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs, many of whom are graduates of Daytona State's first responder programs, as part of a 9/11 tribute.

Among the thousands of first-responder graduates of DSC's firefighting, criminal justice and emergency medical programs, and/or bachelor's in supervision degree, many have earned leadership roles. They include Jessica Paugh, newly named Deputy Police Chief in New Smyrna Beach, and a bevy of other graduates now serving as chiefs or directors:

• Craig Capri, Daytona Beach Police Department
• Matthew Doughney, Flagler Beach Police Department
• Jesse Godfrey, Ormond Beach Police Department
• Ron Wright, South Daytona Police Department
• Ray Manchester, Beach Patrol Police Department
• Terry Sanders, Volusia County Public Protection, Director
• Mark Swanson, Volusia County Public Protection, Deputy Director
• Dru Driscoll, Daytona Beach Fire Department
• John McDaniel, DeLand Fire Department
• Jim Bland, Holly Hill Fire Department
• Bob Mandarino, Ormond Beach Fire Department
• Dan Scales, Ponce Inlet Fire Department

"Over the last 10 years, over 4,000 criminal justice, fire and EMS students have come through our programs," said Louie Mercer, director of DSC's School of Emergency Services. "We estimate that 85 percent of the public servants working locally are our alumni," he added, noting that many of them now also teach for DSC, sharing their field experience and on-the-job insights. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, both Falcon squads will participate in a double-header, live on WDSC. The men's team, ranked No. 5 in the nation, is scheduled to face Thomas University at 4 p.m. while the women will take on Broward College at 6 p.m. At half-time of each game, DSC will honor its two 2016-17 National Academic Teams of the Year, women's golf and men's baseball, as well as the 48 student-athletes who received national academic honors last year.

The inaugural season in the new stadium will culminate on Tuesday, Oct. 10, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new venue at 5:30 p.m. followed by refreshments and VIP stadium tours. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and stay for the men's game versus Eastern Florida at 7 p.m. During halftime, the Seabreeze High School men's soccer team will be recognized with a short film documenting their 2017 state championship, which will be shown on the stadium's video scoreboard.

Other events scheduled in the new venue this year include a homecoming barbecue and soccer double-header on Saturday, Oct. 21, and the NJCAA Women's Soccer Division I Southeast Regional Tournament Nov. 3-5.

"It's going to be a great year with a lot of exciting moments for our whole community to share in," said Will Dunne, DSC athletic director. "Both of our soccer programs had a lot of success last year, and now that they have a place to call home here on campus, we expect to see even more from these Falcons."

A full schedule of home soccer events is included below. Game-day tickets are $5 per person. DSC students and staff receive free admission to every game, and first responders also will receive free entry for the 9/11 match. 

For more information, schedule updates, team rosters and more, visit DSCFalcons.com. 

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