MCC soccer pitch to be named C.D. Smith Field

MCC’s soccer pitch has been the site of a lot of victories for the Eagles and Lady Eagles over the years, but it never had an official name. Now it does – C.D. Smith Field.

MCC’s Board recently named the facility in honor of Smith’s 17 years of service as a trustee of the college. The announcement was made by MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott at a recent dinner honoring Smith, who will retire from the MCC Board on July 1. Smith has been appointed by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Board, necessitating his retirement as a MCC trustee.

“Our Board of Trustees tried to think of an appropriate way to honor C.D.,” Elliott said, “and we decided naming the soccer pitch after him was a good idea because soccer has been a big part of C.D.’s life. Two of his children played intercollegiate soccer, including his daughter, Danielle, who started for Mississippi State University in the Southeastern Conference. That’s soccer at the highest intercollegiate level. Also, soccer is one of our many student activities at MCC, and C.D. has always been a strong advocate for students in his role as a MCC trustee.”

Elliott said the soccer pitch’s scoreboard will be adorned with the lettering “C.D. Smith Field” as well as the new press box and concession facility, which is being built by the college’s Construction Trades program and should be ready for the 2008 fall season.

“MCC has enjoyed an outstanding tradition in soccer,” Elliott said. “I believe MCC is the only junior college in Mississippi to ever win a national title in men’s soccer, and our women won their first-ever state championship last fall under Coach Alex George. Having C.D.’s name officially associated with the program adds to its esteem. We’re really looking forward to the upcoming fall season at MCC at C.D. Smith Field.”