Miller Field changes hands, changes face

The upper portion of the Miller Fields, which has previously been used for intramural sports, is now under the control of the N.C . State University Athletics Department. Club and intramural team sports, which had previously been hosted at the upper Miller Field, will now be held at the fields located on Method Road.

Ray Brincefield , the Assistant Athletics Director for facilities, said the IM fields had changed hands.

“Athletics has indeed taken over the upper IM fields,” Brincefield said. “A landswap agreement has taken place under which University Recreation gets the upper Method Road fields whereas the Athletics Department takes charge of the upper IM fields .”  

Brincefield also noted that the swap was perfect for both the Athletics Department and University Recreation.

“It benefits both parties,” Brincefield said. “University Recreation had already acquired the lower Method Road fields and needed more space and the athletic building was very close to the upper IM fields. It was a win-win situation for both.”

Campus Recreation, now rechristened as University Recreation, has been instrumental in performing a sea of changes to the Miller Fields, both physical and administrative, to make sports facilities better and convenient for students.

According to Jason Spivey , interim director for University Recreation, they have made a plethora of changes to facilities in charge of them, namely the lower Miller Field and the Method Road fields.

“We replaced the lights, and the project is nearing conclusion,” Spivey said. “We have replaced the grass, but we are waiting for the grass to take hold, which may take another three weeks. We have also replaced the fencing.”

Spivey also wants the students to know that some of the most popular intramural sports have changed venues for their competitions.

“Intramurals for flag football, soccer and basically most team sports will take place on the Method Road Fields,” Spivey said.

While it may have worked out perfectly for the two organizations involved, students have somewhat varied opinions on the subject. Matthew Daniels, a junior in biological engineering, who is also a starter for the club rugby team, had a different personal and collective reaction to the whole situation.

“It doesn’t affect me so much personally,” Daniels said, “But from the club’s point of view, if that means losing practice time and game time on what is the best facility available, I would be disappointed.”

Even though Daniels feels inconvenience by the additional distance to Method Road Fields, he would be perfectly fine if the conditions were similar to the ones experienced at the Miller Fields.

“If the Method Road facilities were as good, nobody would have a problem getting there,” Daniels said. “It just has to be worth the walk.”

David Cancio , a junior in Spanish language and literature and a passionate soccer player, highlighted points that would perhaps be true for most students.

“[A] longer commute to the Method Road Fields to play would deteriorate my quality of play and affect the way I play,” Cancio said.

Despite the hassle, Cancio was at least a little enthusiastic about the possibility of playing on completely new fields.

“I am excited to play on nicer fields,” Cancio said. “Playing on grass, not dirt, is so much better.”

Cancio doesn’t think the move will affect intramural participation.

“People should be prepared to travel that distance to play intramurals ,” Cancio said. “It shows how passionate they are.”