The pandemic hasn’t halted everything.

Truist Point stadium in High Point will be the main venue for the Nike Triad Shootout – a youth soccer tournament that begins play on Friday, Feb. 19 at soccer fields across the Triad.

The downtown ballpark is home to the High Point Rockers, who had to call the season off last year, and this tournament marks the first soccer competition hosted at Truist Point.

Other sites playing host to the competition include the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville and the Phillips Park Soccer Complex in High Point.

COVID-19 has put the brakes on so many sports events in the last year – in Greensboro, last March, for instance, the pandemic stopped the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in its tracks – so it’s a welcome sign that  50 youth soccer teams are coming out to compete.  

The Rocker’s stadium is best known for baseball but it has been billed as a “multiuse stadium” and has hosted a wide variety of events on its Astroturf playing surface, one designed to hold up in all types of weather conditions. At the tournament this weekend, two soccer playing fields will be set up inside Truist Point for games over two days.

 David Upchurch, the director of coaching for the Piedmont Triad Football Club, stated in a press release that this high-profile tournament would be a good way to showcase the stadium as well as all the progress that’s been taking place in downtown High Point.  The city is in the midst of a major revitalization effort that could see an infusion of $7 million from Guilford County over the next two decades.

“This is a great opportunity for soccer teams around the state of North Carolina to gain exposure to Truist Point, and the revitalized High Point downtown area,” Upchurch said.

The tournament’s round robin format will guarantee each team three matches.  “Knockout round” contests will be held on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Stadium backers have always wanted it to be known as more than a baseball stadium.  Some have even speculated that it could someday become a playing field for some High Point University sports teams.

“By hosting soccer, we continue to showcase the versatility of Truist Point,” stated High Point Rockers President Pete Fisch.  “Between professional baseball, amateur sports and entertainment events, Truist Point is transforming downtown High Point and becoming a fixture in the community.” 

Saturday’s matches at the stadium will run from 8 a.m. until about 6 p.m.  Sunday’s matches will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude about 2 p.m.

 

 

 

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