Rowan University President Don Farish today unveiled an ambitious and bold initiative to redevelop and expand the University's campus. The project will provide much-needed educational opportunities for the region. A key component of the plan is the construction of a new, soccer-specific stadium that, upon its completion in 2009, will serve as the home for a Major League Soccer team.
To assist President Farish with his institution's development plans, MLS has agreed to exclusively work with Rowan University for the next four months on the development of a soccer-specific stadium for the southern New Jersey/Philadelphia metropolitan area.
The proposed site is on 285 acres of Rowan University's west campus. Rowan University, located in Glassboro, N.J., in the heart of the Delaware Valley, is a leading public institution that combines liberal education with professional preparation at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The construction of soccer-specific stadiums is a major strategic priority for MLS. Four MLS teams - FC Dallas, the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA, and the Columbus Crew - presently play in soccer specific stadiums. These stadiums provide an intimate and exciting environment for fans to experience the game. At least four more facilities will open in the next two years for the following teams: Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, MLS Toronto (begins play in 2007), and Red Bull New York.
"Major League Soccer is pleased to have entered into an exclusive negotiating period with Rowan University as the potential site of a soccer-specific stadium and an MLS team," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. "We are excited both by the possibility of helping Rowan extend its educational opportunities, and by the prospect of having a new stadium ready for an MLS team as early as 2009. While we recognize that much work needs to be done, this is an encouraging first step in the process toward bringing first-class professional soccer to the area."
Please visit www.Rowan.edu for more information about Rowan University.
