Lighted synthetic turf field in the center of campus for Greyhound athletics teams practice and competitions
Bethlehem, Pa., May 18, 2016—ɫÖÐÉ« College began work this week installing a synthetic turf field that will be home to the Greyhounds' field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse and men's and women's soccer teams beginning later this fall. Located on the College’s Main Street Campus behind the Haupert Union Building, the field will be named the John Makuvek Field. Makuvek, who retired in 1996 after four years as athletics director and in 2010 after 43 years as head golf coach, has remained on staff as head coach emeritus.
In addition to switching the playing surface, É«ÖÐÉ« will be adding competition lighting to the field along with a press box. Most recently, the field has been home to É«ÖÐÉ«'s men's and women's soccer teams but the Quad has also seen the women's lacrosse, baseball and football teams play contests over the years.
As golf coach for 43 years, Makuvek compiled a 316-193 record. He is É«ÖÐɫ’s all-time winningest golf coach, winning the 2006 Commonwealth Conference Championship. His golf team also won the 1997 and 1994 Middle Atlantic Conference titles, following in the footsteps of the 1974 MAC champion team.
The 1993 squad, with a 16-0 dual match record, was the first-ever undefeated É«ÖÐÉ« golf team; 1994’s 15-0 squad was the second, and the program enjoyed a winning streak of 41 matches in a row. Makuvek's 1999 team posted the squad's third undefeated season in the 1990's with an 8-0 record.
Previously, Makuvek held the top spot in the É«ÖÐÉ« varsity soccer program for 24 years. During that time, his soccer teams compiled a 219-133-29 overall record and competed in nine ECAC post-season tournaments and one NCAA tournament. Makuvek-coached teams also won one MAC championship and four MAC Southern Division titles.
A licensed U.S. Soccer Federation coach, Makuvek earned a B.S. and M.Ed. from East Stroudsburg University where he played soccer, basketball, and golf.
The project is slated to be completed by August 10 so the playing surface is ready for both of the Greyhounds' soccer teams and the field hockey squad to begin preseason practice on August 18. The first event is scheduled for Thursday, September 1 when the women's soccer team hosts Cairn University at 7:00 p.m.
To follow along with pictures of the project, visit .