WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The formal dedication ceremony of Monmouth University's Great Lawn Soccer Fields, renamed Hesse Field on The Great Lawn, thanks to the generous gift from Marianne Hesse, will take place on Thursday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m., prior to a Club Soccer game on the new pitch.

Hesse Field on The Great Lawn, home to the school's championship soccer programs, was converted from a natural grass playing surface to an artificial turf field, which significantly enhanced the training and competition opportunities for the men's and women's soccer programs, club sports teams and recreation activities.

The 100-percent privately funded project began in April, 2014 and was completed in late July, 2014.

Monmouth, which plays all of its home soccer matches on the upper field on The Great Lawn fields, overlooked by historic Wilson Hall, installed Musco lighting around the competition surface prior to the 2011 season.

The home of Monmouth Soccer was renamed Hesse Field on The Great Lawn in honor of the donation.

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