Regency Athletic Complex: A Premier Sports Venue at MSU Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) boasts a top-tier NCAA Division II outdoor athletic facility known as the Assembly Athletic Complex, formerly the Regency Athletic Conference. This complex has further enhanced its appeal with the addition of three new AstroTurf® fields, solidifying its position as a prime location for tournaments and significant sporting events.

Metropolitan State University of Denver: An Overview

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver or Metro State) is a public university located in Denver, Colorado, United States. Founded in 1965, MSU Denver shares the Auraria Campus with the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver, situated in downtown Denver near Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue.

History and Mission

Established as an opportunity school, MSU Denver is committed to accessibility, maintaining some of the lowest tuition rates among four-year Colorado colleges and universities. The university was the first to advocate for DREAMers, offering in-state tuition rates under the ASSET bill.

Academics and Accreditation

MSU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers a wide range of programs, including master's degrees, majors, minors, concentrations, and licensures. The university's Computer Science program has specific objectives and outcomes and is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

A Brief History of Names

Originally named Metropolitan State College (1965-1990), it became Metropolitan State College of Denver (1990-2012) before achieving university status. A proposed name change to "Denver State University" was considered but later cancelled due to objections from the University of Denver administration and faculty.

Athletics at MSU Denver

MSU Denver has a rich athletic history, producing 239 All-Americans. It was a charter member of the Colorado Athletic Conference in 1989 and joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) in 1996. The university competed as a NAIA member until 1983 before transitioning to NCAA Division II.

Enhancements to the Assembly Athletic Complex

The addition of the new AstroTurf fields marks a significant upgrade to the Assembly Athletic Complex. These fields are designed to enhance the playing experience for student-athletes and ensure the complex remains a premier venue for various sporting events.

The New Turf Fields

MSU Denver has chosen AstroTurf® for three new fields at its prestigious Assembly Athletic Complex. AstroTurf, the inventor of the original artificial turf system, provides advanced, multi-sport, and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. High schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and municipalities increasingly select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety.

Soccer Field Improvements

The new MSU soccer field features a LigaTurf system with a RootZone layer, which reduces infill migration and increases the field's longevity. According to MSU Denver soccer coach Nick Kirchhof, the new surface has significantly improved the game, allowing for truer passes and a playing experience more akin to natural grass. The synthetic fibers in the turf promote better cleat release and reduce torque transmission to the joints.

Baseball and Softball Field Upgrades

For MSU Softball and Baseball, the school is installing AstroTurf’s Diamond Series RBI fields. These fields use legend-shaped polyethylene monofilament fibers in the infield and outfield to replicate natural grass. Additionally, diamond-shaped monofilament fibers in the infield, batter’s box, and pitcher’s mound mimic the texture and firmness of real clay.

Read also: Navigating Stanford Scholarships

Ryan Strain, MSU Denver baseball coach, expressed excitement about the new turf, noting its top-of-the-line quality and the advantage it provides, especially given Colorado's unpredictable weather. The new surface ensures better chances to play games and practice, offering a real benefit to the team.

Installation by Rocky Mountain Turf Solutions

Rocky Mountain Turf Solutions, an AstroTurf certified installer, is handling the installation of the new fields. Serving Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico for over 20 years, Rocky Mountain Turf Solutions specializes in converting grass fields to synthetic turf and designing playing field surfaces to maximize performance, longevity, and environmental benefits.

Lacey Hartman, president of Rocky Mountain Turf Solutions, shared her organization's excitement about partnering with MSU Denver. She emphasized their commitment to providing the latest and greatest turf in the industry and looks forward to seeing the athletes play on these fields.

Benefits of the New Turf System

The new turf system offers numerous advantages for the university's athletic programs and student-athletes:

Enhanced Playing Experience: The synthetic fibers provide a grass-like playing surface, promoting better cleat release and reducing joint stress.
Increased Longevity: The LigaTurf system with a RootZone layer reduces infill migration, extending the field's lifespan.
Improved Performance: The Diamond Series RBI fields replicate the texture and firmness of natural grass and clay, enhancing the playing experience for baseball and softball players.
Weather Resistance: The new turf ensures better chances to play games and practice, regardless of weather conditions.

Kat Mertz, MSU Denver women’s soccer coach, emphasized that the complex as a whole shows the commitment by the athletic department to the soccer, baseball, softball, and tennis programs. The new field provides an excellent student-athlete experience.

MSU Denver Athletics: A Tradition of Excellence

MSU Denver is well-known for cultivating incredible athletes. The Roadrunners baseball team is ranked second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and won the 2022 RMAC tournament title, while the softball team is ranked 4th.

Commitment to Quality

Todd Thurman, MSU Denver Director of Athletics, highlighted the improved quality and longevity of the new fields, attributing these enhancements to advances in technology. The new fields are of better quality and will last longer than the original ones did because of the advances in technology.

The Absence of Football

Despite the comprehensive athletic offerings at MSU Denver, one sport remains absent: football. Director of Athletics Anthony Grant has addressed questions regarding a football team, consistently stating that the university lacks the necessary space and resources. The space required for a football team is unacquirable, meaning the university doesn’t have the ability to buy or rent out space for a field. Mile High Stadium is too big and too expensive.

While a club football team existed as recently as 2017, the challenges of fielding a team, especially with limited support compared to an NCAA-sanctioned Division II team, remain significant.

tags: #Regency #Athletic #Complex #Metro #State #University