After reports surfaced that the Rio Hondo soccer field was not up to National Collegiate Athletic Association and Federation Internacionale de Football Association regulations, a group of not only college staff, but also government and community officials came together to give the Rio Hondo Roadrunners a home field.

Those who came for this ground-breaking event were Ricardo Mendoza the deputy director for Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, from the office of state Senator Tony Mendoza, Ray Wong and Council members from the city of Pico Rivera Gustavo Camacho and Grant Pasero. 

It’s partnerships like these that made the ribbon-cutting ceremony a reality on March 23.

The field at Rio Hondo was originally laid out as a football field, 100 yards in length, not including the end zones, and 53-⅓ yards in width.

Those measurements are slightly different than the NCAA and FIFA regulation soccer field, which is laid at 100 yards in length and 60 yards in width.

The close to $4 million and 72,000 square foot soccer field renovation was completed in less than one year.

It not only complies with the NCAA and the FIFA regulations, but is also fitted with state-of-the-art artificial turf, along with a six-lane synthetic track, outdoor lighting for night games, bleachers to accommodate 132 spectators and a scoreboard.

This high performance artificial turf is designed to provide safety for the athletes on the field and exceptional durability that is not found on traditional grass. It also minimizes wear and tear, maintenance and is more cost-efficient in the long run. This synthetic turf will give allow the field to be used year-round.

Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams are nationally ranked and made the playoffs last year. Neither team has had the privilege to practice on a proper facility, nor the luxury of having a home-field advantage.

This ribbon-cutting ceremony marks a new beginning for the Rio Hondo Roadrunners soccer program and their brand new home field will project them to new heights this coming season.