Tom Thompson Field has come a long way since humble beginnings. This photo was taken in 2005 by UCO Photo Services

Women's Soccer 9/2/2020 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Facility Spotlight: Tom Thompson Field

The University of Central Oklahoma athletic department is home to some of the finest facilities in the country. Over the past five years, construction projects have taken place that physically transformed the face of the campus. We're taking a closer look at each of those facilities each Wednesday over the next several weeks. This week, Tom Thompson Soccer Field.

Central Oklahoma plays its home games at Tom Thompson Soccer Field, located just east of Hamilton Field House on campus. The field is named for UCO graduate Tom Thompson, who donated funds to help start the soccer program in 1998.

The field, 110 yards long by 75 yards wide, is a natural grass surface. Central made significant changes to the complex in 2008, installing new bleacher seating along the south side of the field to go with a new entrance and concourse area behind the bleachers. The University made another significant addition in 2018, installing lights at the field. The Bronchos now play regularly scheduled games under the lights on Friday's during the season.

UCO has enjoyed great success on its home pitch, having compiled a glittering 158-36-12 record (.796 winning percentage) in the facility. The Bronchos played their first home game on Sept. 13, 1998, beating St. Gregory's 3-0.

UCO has also played 25 home games away from Tom Thompson Field, having gone 21-3 at Wantland Stadium and 0-1 at the Edmond Soccer Club. The Bronchos drew what was then an NCAA Division II-record 2,139 fans to Wantland Stadium in 2008 in a game against Dallas Baptist and went 8-2 while playing all 10 home games there in 2010.

There have been several marquee victories by the Bronchos on Tom Thompson Field. Central won the Lone Star Conference Championship on the field three times and the MIAA Championship there as well in 2018. UCO boasts an 18-3 all-time record at home in the postseason, including a 5-0 unblemished record in the 2018 conference tournament and NCAA Tournament.

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