by Nikola Tzenov, photography by Nikola Tzenov
Carroll Community College officially opened its new James D. Ball Athletic Complex Thursday with a kickoff celebration followed by the first soccer games played on the new field.
College President Dr. Rose Mince, Carroll County Commissioner Kenneth Kiler and former college President Emeritus Dr. James D. Ball addressed a crowd of college officials, community leaders, donors, students and supporters during the 3 p.m. celebration.
The $5.6 million complex was funded through a partnership between Carroll County Government and the Carroll Community College Foundation. The facility includes a synthetic turf field, a regulation 400-meter, eight-lane track, track and field event areas, spectator seating and sports lighting.
Mince said the complex will give Carroll student-athletes a dedicated home field while expanding opportunities for the broader community.
“Most of all, this facility enriches the experience that we already provide to our students,” Mince said. “Our student athletes have had to find practice facilities and competitive places that we haven’t been able to offer — we haven’t had something like this.”
The complex is named in honor of Ball, who served as Carroll Community College’s third president and now holds the title of president emeritus. Ball said the project represents more than a new athletic facility, noting the years of work that went into making it a reality.
“This complex represents a lot of work towards a vision that was difficult to bring about,” Ball said. “It just is a punctuation mark on that vision and that drive to do something for the students of the college and the community itself, so it’s a proud moment.”
Kiler credited the partnership among county government, the college, its foundation, donors and community members for making the project possible.
The celebration was followed by the first soccer games played at the new complex, with both Carroll teams hosting Allegany College of Maryland. The men’s team played to a 3-3 tie, while the women’s team earned a 4-0 victory.
The new complex is expected to serve Carroll student-athletes as well as community members through athletic events and other activities.
