Best field and facilities in LA?

[playwide]

I'm wondering which playing surfaces and facilities do you believe are the best in Louisiana for High School Soccer:
(please don't include artificial playing surfaces with American Football lines on them)...I am wondering which schools do the best job maintaining their playing surfaces and facilities while creating an atmosphere that is uniquely soccer-friendly?

[stlfan]

Well if you are going to exclude artificial playing surfaces with American Football lines on them, you have to eliminate grass fields with American Football lines on them, as well. I think the majority of high school fields are going to fall under one of these two categories. Most high schools, be they public or private, have neither the time nor inclination to take the "American" football lines off...it's not worth the cost. But I do agree with your implication, that it would look A LOT better with just the necessary soccer pitch markings only.

[nolapelota]

Given the restrictions, natural grass devoid of football lines, the two best fields we have played on in the last 5 years are at Country Day and Episcopal Acadiana School. 

Country Day has a flat field, no crown.  When it was laid out, the headmaster was English and he insisted on the flat field specifically for soccer.  Plus there is enough room to make the field whatever size is wanted, up to about 80 yards wide .. though CD traditionally limits the width. Also, the CD field is in a beautiful setting in a beautiful neighborhood.  By mid soccer season the football lines are long gone and CD wisely does not "diesel in" the lines like a lot of foolish coaches in a lot of sports... coaches I would like to see locked up for destroying a field.  Finally, the CD athletic department lines and marks the field absolutely beautifully, wide, thick, pro-looking lines.  Only negative is that the field takes a while to drain... needs a 10-in sand cap, though the grass cover seems to stay in good shape even late in the season, even in the keeper box.

Episcopal Acadiana's field is also in a beautiful setting, devoid of football lines, and the field is large and level.  We played a playoff game there 4 years ago when it was new.  When we played on it two years ago, it had greatly matured from its early days and now is really a nice facility, good turf, good footing, decent drainage.   

[squeak11]

Episcopal Acadiana and Vandebilt

[thirdcoast]

As the Country Day coach, I'll let the AD know that others think we have a great field to play on, but I would have to say that ESA has a better field and setting, however, the best field and facility in the state has to go to Barbe High.  Google 2200 West McNeese St. Lake Charles, LA 70605 and the field is just east of the parking lot (across the street from the football field). 

The BHS field is soccer only, has box goals, lights, size can vary (prob up to 75-80 yds wide if they took it out), proper field house with 2 locker rooms and 2 bathrooms, scoreboard, proper concession stand, grandstands with press box, covered benches for both teams, sponsor signs running the length of the field and every year the grass/field gets major work done to it (re-leveled, new grass patches, etc.).

It's without a doubt the best soccer facility in LA for a high school program - regardless if you have turf or not.....

[beauchenecoach]

Was gonna ask how no one had mentioned the pinnacle of high school soccer facilities in Barbe High!? Barbe High is the best by far and away... End of thread!

[barbedad20]

May 12, 2014 12:00:03 GMT -6 thirdcoast said:

As the Country Day coach, I'll let the AD know that others think we have a great field to play on, but I would have to say that ESA has a better field and setting, however, the best field and facility in the state has to go to Barbe High.  Google 2200 West McNeese St. Lake Charles, LA 70605 and the field is just east of the parking lot (across the street from the football field). 

The BHS field is soccer only, has box goals, lights, size can vary (prob up to 75-80 yds wide if they took it out), proper field house with 2 locker rooms and 2 bathrooms, scoreboard, proper concession stand, grandstands with press box, covered benches for both teams, sponsor signs running the length of the field and every year the grass/field gets major work done to it (re-leveled, new grass patches, etc.).

It's without a doubt the best soccer facility in LA for a high school program - regardless if you have turf or not.....

May 12, 2014 14:31:35 GMT -5 beauchenecoach said:
Was gonna ask how no one had mentioned the pinnacle of high school soccer facilities in Barbe High!? Barbe High is the best by far and away... End of thread!


I think a little tear came to my eye while reading this..... Of course I am biased that Barbe Soccer Complex is truly "The Finest Soccer Facility in the State of Louisiana!!" And what makes it so special is no big alumni funding, tax dollars, ect were ever used to create this complex. Just the hard work of a few individuals like Jay Vilnerve, Jim Riley, Tommy Stone, and Scott McAtte and a fantastic group of coaches and parents who rolled up their sleeves and made it happen. Also, great support and backing by the principals at Barbe (Beth Frazier and Charlie Atkins) who never told us anything was impossible.

The biggest compliments I get is when I try to get a home and home with a team like Kelly HS and the coach says no to us going to Beaumont because his players would rather play at Barbe twice than have a home game!!! Very proud of what we have built here at Barbe and if you haven't been here before, send me a message and come see the "Finest Soccer Facility in the State of Louisiana!"

[playwide]

Thanks for posting. This is exactly why I started the thread. I wanted to learn more about the facilities and atmospheres that are not seen by everyone.

Sounds like Barbe is clearly a top facility. What about the game atmosphere? Attendance? etc...

[beasleyisbeastly]

while we are giving our opinions on the best fields I would also like to list some of the worst. Fontainebleau High and Northshore High (as far as I know from experience) have the worst facilities. Their fields... I mean mud pits are terrible. running full speed and cutting properly is almost impossible without slipping. I say with confidence that those fields have more brown (mud) than green. they are also so narrow that the American football lines are practically the same. terrible for soccer.
Now to some of the better fields: Brother Martin, Hahnville, Lakeshore, Jesuit, St Paul, and Baton Rouge all have good fields from my experience. To those of you who condemn all artificial turf fields: at least artificial turf is a flat surface, cleats grab the surface and slipping is almost impossible in all conditions, and the field is much wider and suitable for soccer in terms of size.
My vote for best field in the state goes to the Saint Paul's grass field. It is full size, has grass perfect for soccer, is flat, and is surrounded by trees in a beautiful setting. It is soccer specific (the rugby and lacrosse teams sometimes use it). As an SPS grad I may be a bit biased but those who have seen it or had the chance to play on it know it is a great field. It is not used for district games and is only used for varsity practice before American football season is over and for the SPS Invitational tournaments.

[usasoccerboy]

Vandebilt's field is too narrow as are most fields with a track surrounding the field.

[the_best_MAN]

Barbe High has a WONDERFUL facility. I wish more High Schools had a soccer specific facility like they do. First class in my opinion.