State DI and DIII Finals Information

[ShreveDad]

Matches will be played at Independence Stadium

Directions: Go all the way to the end of I-49, exit right to I-20 West (Dallas), go about 2 miles and you will see the stadium on your right. Exit and turn right on Jewella, go a couple of hundred yards to Greenwood, turn right at the light, go a couple of hundred yards again and the entrance to the stadium will be on your right.

Gates Open at 2:00 pm each day (Friday & Saturday)

Entrance will be through Gate 3 on the northwest side of the stadium

Admission: $8.00 per person per day, ticket good for both matches, if you leave the stadium for any reason you must pay to get back in.

Everyone who is not a member of a participating team must pay.
(Children under two (2) will be admitted free)

Bands and Cheerleaders: Admitted free provided they are in uniform and enter with their sponsor as a group.

Coaches Cards and LHSAA Passes will be admitted free. Must show pass and picture ID. One guest is allowed with cardholder but must enter at same time as cardholder.

Souvenir Program: Will be on sale for $5.00

Souvenir T-Shirts: Will be on sale for $17.00 each (long sleeve)

Concessions: Food, beverage and coolers may NOT be carried into the stadium. (Teams may bring own coolers if Gatorade or unmarked)

Seating: All spectators including band members will be required to sit on the west side. No spectators will be allowed on the team (east) side of the stadium. Only those properly credentialed (media, players, coaches, and tournament staff) will be allowed on the field. Security will have the list provided by each team and LHSAA requires it to be enforced.

Schedule:
Friday, February 23
4:00 p.m. DIII Girls Final (Sacred Heart vs Newman)
7:00 p.m. DIII Boys Final (Teurlings Catholic vs St. Louis)

Saturday, February 24
4:00 p.m. DI Girls Final ( Dominican vs Lafayette)
7:00 p.m. DI Boys Final (Jesuit vs St. Pauls)

Hotel Accommodations:

Clarion Hotel
1419 E. 70th St
Shreveport LA 71105
[phone]
Rate: $70.00 per night plus tax
Identify yourself as a participating team in the LHSAA State Soccer Championships.
Each school is responsible for contacting the hotel and securing their own reservations.

Other Hotels near the fields are in the Pines Road area of I-20, 2 or 3 miles west of Indy. Those include a Fairfield Inn, Jameson Inn, Marriott Courtyard, LaQuinta and a Holiday Inn.

[PutMeInCoach2]

Awesome I get in free... too bad I have a meeting to be attending....

[afan]

Can someone shed some light on the field at Indendence. I understand it is in great shape from other posts, but is it grass, field turf, or turf turf?

[FutbolFan]

ShreveDad - HELP! Our team parents cannot find rooms - Red River Classic has taken them all! I need 20 double rooms/3 king rooms for 2 nights on 2/23/2007 and 7 double rooms/5 king rooms for 1 night on 2/24/2007! I've called all hotels in the area - what to do? Why couldn't LHSAA hold rooms for spectators? Did they think the teams would come without their fans?

[snowballs]

Try the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza. Their direct number is 318-688-1877. Mention your group. Let me know if this works.

[FutbolFan]

All booked up!

[snowballs]

I will get back to you shortly.

[sugarfoot]

Try the LaQuinta in Bossier City. They had rooms as of Friday. Easy directions to the stadium.

[11wolverines]

futbolfan2 said:

ShreveDad - HELP! Our team parents cannot find rooms - Red River Classic has taken them all! I need 20 double rooms/3 king rooms for 2 nights on 2/23/2007 and 7 double rooms/5 king rooms for 1 night on 2/24/2007! I've called all hotels in the area - what to do? Why couldn't LHSAA hold rooms for spectators? Did they think the teams would come without their fans?

Hey. I live in Mansfield (45 minutes south of Shreveport). I have just called the Mansfield Inn 872-5034. They have rooms available for both days 23,24. I did not ask about rates.
I will be happy to assist you in anything I can. Let me know if I there is anything I can do for you.

[FutbolFan]

Everyone has been so helpful and nice! I really appreciate it! I think we've got our rooms booked now. You guys are great!

[soccerrouge]

afan said:

Can someone shed some light on the field at Indendence. I understand it is in great shape from other posts, but is it grass, field turf, or turf turf?

The turf (it is not grass), is the newer type of turf which is very soft and has the rubber granules under it. It is an extremely good surface to play on. Normal cleats can be worn on the surface as well as turf cleats with no problems. Rain will never be a problem to the playing surface, no matter how much. Girls will enjoy playing on it.

[soccerkicksgrass]

The surface is called "Sprint-turf" - very, very fast. The finals in MS are played at Milsaps College - same surface. Some debate as to whether the finals should be on that surface. You play all year on grass, and then when you get to the most important weekend of the year, new surface. Sure, true rolls, weather not an issue, but would you rather see the finals on a grass field (weather and conditions permitting?)

And, not that I have a dog in this fight, but we (Ridgeland, MS) played both teams that are in the D3 finals. Beat Newman 2-1 at Newman and beat ASH 3-0 at our place. I like the matchup - consider both coaches as friends - good luck to both.