BOONE, N.C. - ASU Soccer Stadium took another step towards being one of the premier college soccer facilities in the Southeast this month with the opening of its new locker room/concessions building.

The addition features permanent locker rooms for Appalachian's men's and women's soccer teams. Each spacious locker room includes 30 lockers and is equipped with top-notch amenities - including state-of-the-art sound systems and television technology - to provide a comfortable home for the Mountaineers.

The building also includes a concession stand and public restrooms to enhance the fan experience at the first-rate facility.

"The new locker room is part of a first-class facility and an awesome addition for both programs," Appalachian men's head coach Shaun Pendleton said. "We would like to thank (ASU director of athletics) Charlie Cobb and his staff for building such a wonderful facility. The locker room has all of the latest technology and moves ASU's soccer programs forward in a big way."

ASU women's soccer head coach Sarah Strickland echoed Pendleton's comments.

"It was amazing to see the girls' faces when they walked into their new state-of-the art locker room. You could see the immediate ownership when they took over 'their locker, their space'," Strickland said. "We are so blessed to have leaders like Charlie Cobb, (senior associate A.D./senior woman administrator) Debbie Richardson and (associate A.D. for facilities) Troy Heustess to build this home for our players. We are also sincerely thankful for all of the time and effort (contractor) Kevin Hoffman and his crew from Brushy Mountain Builders have given to make it possible."

"Not only does the facility provide a comfortable place for our soccer teams to call home and aid in recruiting more top-notch student-athletes to the programs but we think that the fan amenities will help us draw even bigger and more enthusiastic crowds to give both teams a true home-field advantage," Cobb said.

ASU Soccer Stadium is the centerpiece of the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex in Boone, giving the Mountaineers a large presence in the heart of soccer in the High Country. In addition to ASU Soccer Stadium, the complex also features fields used by the High Country Soccer Association, Watauga County Parks and Recreation and the High Country Adult Recreation League, giving participants in those programs easy access to support the Apps whenever they take the field.