The Fort Hays State men's and women's soccer teams open the 2011 regular season on Saturday (Sept. 3) at FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays, Kan. A dedication ceremony for the stadium will take place between games, which will start upon completion of the men's game slated to start at 4:30 pm. The men host Adams State (Colo.) College and the women host Newman University following the dedication.

Speakers at the ceremony will include FHSU president Dr. Edward H. Hammond, FHSU athletic director Curtis Hammeke, women's head coach Craig Shaw, and FHSU men's player Travis Patzner.

The FHSU Soccer Stadium is part of the brand new multi-million dollar Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex, which includes multiple baseball/softball fields, football, and soccer fields for youth programs in Hays. The biggest contributions for the entire complex came from the namesake Bickle and Schmidt families of Hays, each donating a half-million dollars to the project. Nex-Tech Wireless and Nex-Tech combined to donate nearly $200,000 to the project and the J Corp construction company contributed $11,000 to road paving. The Ellis County government also played a huge role by donating many hours of dirt moving to prepare the site.

FHSU invested about $2.6 million in the project, which included cooperative costs for the university's share in developing the infrastructure of the entire complex. The completed FHSU Soccer Stadium is a first-class venue in every way, both for competitors and fans.

Admission to the event is $5 for adults and ages K-12 are free.