The men’s and women’s soccer teams return home this week for a total of four games, three of which will be played at Merlo Field, and one to be played at Nike Campus. The action kicks off on Friday at 2 p.m., when the men take on Duquesne. The women also will take the field on Friday with a 7 p.m. game vs. Miami. Then on Sunday, the men will take on Siena at 1 p.m. at Ronaldo Field at Nike Headquarters, while the women take on San Diego State at 2:30 p.m. here at Merlo Field. For more information on Pilot athletics, please visit portlandpilots.com. For tickets, call the Pilots box office at 7525 or visit the box office inside the Chiles Center. As a reminder, all faculty and staff can receive 50 percent off season tickets and 50 percent off general admission single game tickets.
Athletics
2014 UP Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The University of Portland athletics department has inducted Roman Borvanov (men’s tennis), Jim Dortch (basketball/baseball), Shannon MacMillan (women’s soccer), Wally Panel (basketball/baseball) and the 2002 Pilot women’s soccer team into its Athletic Hall of Fame. The five inductees will be honored at a banquet on Saturday, October 4, with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7, in the Bauccio Commons. Tickets to the event are $27 per person and must be purchased in advance.
To make reservations and purchase tickets, please contact Mary Virnig, athletics, at 7117 or virnig@up.edu. For more information contact Virnig or Jonathon Brooks, athletics, at 7431 or brooksj@up.edu.
Don’t Miss Wednesday Ticket Happy Hour
Every Wednesday between June 18 and August 13 from 2 to 3 p.m., the Pilots Box Office will be running a “Happy Hour” with exclusive ticket deals for the upcoming 2014 men’s and women’s soccer season. Here’s the lowdown on our next happy hour:
On July 30 we will celebrate an all-day Happy Hour. The first 25 people who purchase new season tickets will be invited to an exclusive event to watch Bayern Munich work out at Merlo Field on Monday, August 5, from 10 a.m. to noon. This event is closed to the public, and you’ll be able to see one of the world’s top professional teams close up and personal. Bayern Munich is in town to play the MLS All-stars on August 6. Call the Pilots Box Office on Wednesday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get this great deal.
If you are a current season ticket holder, do not worry. You’re being automatically entered into a lottery to attend the event as well. Twenty-five current season ticket holders will also be chosen on Thursday, July 31.
To take advantage of these exclusive offers call the Pilots Box Office at 7525 on Wednesdays between 2 and 3 p.m. Visit portlandpilots.com for more information on all of our ticket packages.
From Our Past: Pilot Soccer Stars Go For Gold
On August 1, 1996, two University of Portland athletes led the United States Olympic women’s soccer team to a 2-to-1 victory over China to win the gold medal. A goal by Shannon MacMillan in the 19th minute and the game-winner by Tiffeny Milbrett (pictured) in the 62nd were the only goals scored by the U.S. team in a game played before 78,418 fans, the largest crowd in history to watch a women’s team athletic event. It was the inaugural women’s soccer Olympic competition that year in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more UP history see the University Almanac at www.up.edu/almanac.
Wednesday Ticket Happy Hour
Every Wednesday until August 13, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Pilots Box Office will be running a “Happy Hour” with exclusive ticket deals for the upcoming 2014 men’s and women’s soccer season. On Wednesday, July 23, general admission mini-packs are on sale for $25. The mini-pack features 1 ticket to each of the following women’s soccer games: Stanford on August 30, Washington on September 28, Saint Mary’s on October 5, and Loyola Marymount on October 26. It also allows the choice of 1 men’s soccer game of your choice. The original price on this ticket pack is $35, plus every pack sold will come with your choice of a Pilots Wheel T-shirt (limited sizes available) or seat cushion.
To take advantage of these exclusive offers call the Pilots Box Office at 7525 on Wednesdays between 2 and 3 p.m. Stay tuned for more Wednesday Ticket Happy Hour deals to be announced in the future. Visit portlandpilots.com for more information on all ticket packages.
Don’t Miss Happy Hour
The Wednesday Ticket Happy Hour continues this week with a special mini-pack offer, according to Jonathan Brooks, athletics. For the next two Wednesdays, July 16 and July 23, athletics will be offering a mini-pack that includes 1 ticket to each of the following women’s soccer games: Stanford, Washington, Saint Mary’s, Loyola Marymount and one men’s soccer game of your choice, plus each pack will also come with a cushion seat. All of this is available for just $25 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on these two Wednesdays; this package is valued at $35. In addition to this great package, all faculty and staff can purchase season tickets at 50 percent off regular price. Don’t miss out on any of the soccer action this fall at Merlo Field. For more information or to purchase your tickets, please call the Pilots Box Office at 7525.
Pilot Kids Club
Registration is open for faculty and staff kids in the U.S. Bank Pilots Kids Club. Benefits of signing up your child include:
- A free Kids Club t-shirt
- Free admission to: all but one women’s soccer and men’s basketball games (women’s soccer vs. Stanford and men’s basketball vs. Gonzaga are not included), and all men’s soccer, volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and baseball games
- Kids are entered to be a “Pilot for the Day” at home soccer games
- Free membership card
- Free Pilots temporary tattoos
- Exclusive Kids Club events with players and coaches
- And much, much more.
For more information or to sign up now, please call Jon Brooks at 7431 or brooksj@up.edu.
Joe Etzel Field Improvements Underway
Improvements have begun on the University of Portland’s baseball stadium, Joe Etzel Field, thanks to the support of several donors. The multi-phased project will begin with the installation of artificial turf, designed to replace the natural grass field and give the baseball program much-needed flexibility.
Several donors have contributed to the project, including Larree M. Renda, who has given two gifts of a combined $400,000. Renda is an executive with Safeway Inc., based in Pleasanton, Calif., and a member of the University’s board of regents. Her son, Tommy Renda ’09, played baseball for the Pilots. Tom and Mary Herche, of Seattle, whose son Charlie Herche ’09 played baseball for the Pilots, gave $150,000 for the baseball field upgrade. Additional leadership gifts for the project have come from former players Lou Stremick ’71; Walt Spitznagel ’50; and Al Courter ‘69.
A total of $850,000 has been raised to date for the first phase. Other scheduled improvements during the first phase include new fencing, a new scoreboard, and eventually new lighting.
Formerly Pilot Stadium, the facility was completed prior to the 1988 baseball season. The stadium was renamed in the summer of 2004 in honor of former Portland athletic director and long-time head baseball coach Joe Etzel.
Following the initial renovation phase, a long-term phase II of the project is being developed which will include new grandstands, improved concession and ticketing facilities and baseball specific programming.
The gifts are part of the University’s RISE Campaign, which was announced in December 2010 with a goal of raising $175 million by June 30, 2014. Nearly $182 million has been raised to date, making it one of the largest fundraising campaigns ever for a Pacific Northwest private college or university.
For more information contact the development office at hanna@up.edu.
Wednesday Ticket Happy Hour
Every Wednesday between June 18 and August 13, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Pilots box office will be running a “Happy Hour” with exclusive ticket deals for the upcoming 2014 men’s and women’s soccer seasons. The next Happy Hour will be Wednesday, June 25, featuring a Youth Team Experience Pack: Fan Tunnel. Ticket holders get to welcome the team to the field as they come out of the locker room. The $250 package includes 50 tickets and 25 posters (regular price is $299). Space is available for one youth team per home game. Stay tuned for more Wednesday Ticket Happy Hour deals. To take advantage of these exclusive offers call the Pilots box office at 7525, Wednesdays between 2 and 3 p.m. Visit portlandpilots.com for more information on all ticket packages.
Employee Season Ticket Deals
Faculty and staff are reminded that they receive 50 percent off the regular price on Pilots soccer season tickets. Employee season tickets prices are $124.50 for stadium chairs, $89.50 for bench backs, and $63 for general admission. Season tickets include all men’s and women’s home games. For more information or to purchase your season tickets, call Dave Taylor at 8619 or e-mail taylord@up.edu.