Written by Hayley Kate Webb | Photo by Jeff Montgomery
Greg Hatcher and other donors were present for the dedication of the Hatcher Indoor Soccer Center on Nov. 9.
Harding head men’s soccer coach Jon Ireland said the soccer facilities would not be a reality without the support of the donors. Ireland said the donors have completely transformed the soccer program’s facilities into some of the best in the country.
“Their incredible gifts have allowed our programs to reach kids that we may not have reached before,” Ireland said. “We are so thankful and blessed to have incredible people who have invested in the lives of our student athletes.”
The indoor soccer field was completed in 2020. Shortly after the completion of the field, the weight rooms were completed as an addition to the new indoor soccer facility. The teams began fully utilizing the facility in September of 2020.
Over the past year, the Hatcher Indoor Soccer Center has benefited the Harding University men’s and women’s soccer programs. Ireland said the Hatcher Indoor Soccer Center is a game changer for the Harding soccer program.
“The players have access to the weight room, player lounge and field seven days a week,” Ireland said. “It is just a really great space for them to bond and improve their game.”
Senior women’s soccer player Grace Ann Green said the indoor facility has many benefits. Green said one of the nicest aspects of the new facility is that the weather is no longer a determining factor on whether the team is able to practice that day.
“It is nice knowing that we will get to practice rain or shine,” Green said. “It is also super nice to have a weight room designated specifically for soccer. It allows us to have more freedom and mobility in the workouts that we do. It’s also just a fun space to go kick around and hang out as a team.”
Senior men’s soccer player Jack Savage said the indoor facility has elevated the standard of excellence within the soccer program.
“Being able to go to a school where the facilities are amazing has truly been a blessing,” Savage said.
