The Longwood Athletics Complex is a multi-field complex that serves as home to Longwood Soccer, Field Hockey, and Women’s Lacrosse. The $5.5 million project opened during the spring of 2006 and features a Bermuda natural grass turf field for men's and women's soccer along with an adjacent synthetic turf field for field hockey and women’s lacrosse. Each field has permanent lighting, scoreboard, and spectator bleacher seating for approximately 350. There is additional seating on a grass incline, and unique new press-boxes made from modified and recycled freight containers were installed in November 2008. The press-boxes feature all steel welded construction and windows with double pane insulated tempered glass; created from shipping containers and designed with energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction in support of Longwood’s sustainability program. Each box has a rooftop platform for professional sports videographers.
The supporting structures for the two fields include an entrance pavilion with ticket booths, restrooms, and a concession area that were put in place during the summer of 2007, along with separate support buildings that provide team changing/dressing rooms, a maintenance room, and a utility room. Parking and access pathways are also provided.
Longwood Soccer Field is the home to men's and women's soccer - two teams who have made runs to Big South Championship matches within the past two seasons. An all-natural grass surface, both men's and women's soccer have enjoyed home field advantages since the Longwood Athletics Complex opened - the men have a 46-45-14 (.505) record while the women boast a 73-30-8 (.694) record.
Known for hosting The G.A.M.E. (Greatest Athletics March Ever) annually, the Athletics Complex has seen crowds upwards of 1,500 fans. Since it's induction, women's soccer has hosted the most G.A.M.E.'s while men's soccer and field hockey have each had a share of the march.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field has provided many exciting moments for field hockey and lacrosse since the spring of 2006 as field hockey has gone 57-48 (.543) and lacrosse boasts a 59-48 (.551) mark.
Dedicated on October 29, 2016 to longtime Longwood professor and field hockey alum Dr. Elizabeth Burger Jackson, the Lancer blue turf has seen a 9-8 mark from lacrosse while field hockey began the newly dedicated field 5-0 and currently sit at 8-1 in just over one full season. During the dedication on Senior Day of 2016, head coach Iain Byers and company clinched their first Mid-American Conference Championship appearance in program history in a 3-0 defeat of Missouri State.
Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field is also home to some of the all-time great lacrosse players in Longwood history as Katie McHugh played all four seasons on the Lancer blue turf while setting the mark of 267 career points in a career. She and classmate Sarah Butler (218 points) played every minute together on the Lancer blue turf as the dynamic duo combined for 485 total points.
The following are prohibited at Longwood athletics facilities:
- Firearms
- Alcohol and illicit substances
- Tobacco
- Pets
- Artificial noisemakers
Directions to the Athletics Complex (Soccer, Field Hockey, Lacrosse)
Google: Johnston Drive, Farmville, VA
From the East, Traveling 460W: Take first Farmville exit, merging onto East Third Street. Turn left on Milnwood Road (first light). Right on Johnston Drive, Athletics Complex on right (adjacent to Longwood Golf Club).
From the West, Traveling 460E: Take second Farmville exit, turn left on South Main Street. Turn right on Milnwood Road (first light past Wal-Mart). Left on Johnston Drive, Athletic Complex on right (adjacent to Longwood Golf Club).
From the South, Traveling 15N: Turn right on Milnwood Road (first light past Wal-Mart). Left on Johnston Drive, Athletics Complex on right (adjacent to Longwood Golf Club).
From the North, Traveling 15S: Merges into West Third Street and into East Third Street. Turn right on Milnwood Road (first light past SunChase). Right on Johnston Drive, Athletics Complex on right (adjacent to Longwood Golf Club).
