The UF women’s lacrosse team facilities were on display as head coach Amanda O’Leary gave a tour of the new facilities to the Academic & Professional Assembly Thursday afternoon.
The APA is an organization comprised of UF administrators who provide communication with faculty, said Connie Nicklin, president of the APA.
The assembly had about 25 members participate in the tour.
“We try to provide access to people our assembly would usually not have,” Nicklin said.
The facilities, located on Hull Road just south of the softball field, were absolutely outstanding, said Christine Schoaff, past president of the APA and a former lacrosse player.
“I don’t think I have ever seen such pretty manicured grass in one place,” said Rick Goodnight, assembly program chairman.
O’Leary said few programs have both a practice field and a game field.
The new facilities, which were opened in August, include a training room staffed with two trainers, a press box, a conference room and locker rooms for both the visiting and home teams.
This spring will mark the team’s inaugural season.
The American Lacrosse Conference includes schools from the East Coast, Midwest and Southeast.
O’Leary said the team’s expectations are to stay competitive throughout the season, which may be a tall task because the roster includes 24 freshmen.
Talent will not be the problem since O’Leary put together a solid recruiting effort, being ranked No. 1 in recruiting by Inside Lacrosse magazine.
“We have a wonderful group,” O’Leary said “They have great work ethic and are improving.”
