DANBURY, Connecticut — The Western Connecticut State University Wolves will take to the field on new turf next fall, following the installation of a new playing surface at the Westside Athletic Complex (WAC) this summer. The 2,500 seat stadium was completed in 2002, and has hosted countless Little East Conference competitions and multiple championships, but has not been resurfaced since 2015. The Wolves’ field hockey, football, and men’s and women’s soccer teams play at the Westside Athletic Complex during the fall and the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams call the WAC their home in the spring.
The new surface will be Field Turf™ Classic HD, a slit-film fiber that has been carefully crafted to both maximize durability and safety and present as aesthetically pleasing. This system, which has earned a reputation as one of the most trusted in North America, is a perfect match for fields with high use and has been proven on the field and in the lab. It is widely used at all levels, including the football stadiums at Syracuse University, the University of Miami, and the University of Wisconsin. The project will begin in June/July, and is scheduled to be completed in time for the fall seasons.
“Our new Wolf Turf project will positively impact our student-athletes by giving them a modern, high-quality surface that enhances performance, safety, and school pride,” said WestConn Head Men’s Soccer Coach Joe Mingachos. “It represents our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our athletes while building excitement and unity around the future of WestConn athletics.”
The existing turf, which featured former mascot, Colonial Chuck, at the 50-yard line will be gone but not forgotten, and fans and alumni can spend one more night on the field for a celebration of Chuck and all he meant to WestConn athletics. This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and will include snacks and beverages. While the event is free, a suggested donation of $10 will benefit student-athletes. RSVP for the event at https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=70f2c9c3-495c-4a2b-87be-e6ef0907e093&envId=p-yrBjN0mjiUafdlerDTgleA&zone=usa.
Attendees will have the opportunity to pose for photos on the field with Chuck. Also on hand will be the university’s new mascot, Wally the Wolf. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the university’s past and look toward the future. The original mascot was adopted in the mid-1970s, and it was retired and replaced by Wally the Wolf in 2022.
Dr. Jesse M. Bernal, WestConn’s 10th President, said, “We honor our past not by preserving it in place, but by weaving its strongest threads — pride, community, grit, and belonging — into the future we are building together.”
In addition to the June 2 event, WestConn alumni and supporters have the opportunity to purchase pieces of the existing turf as a keepsake at several levels. Information on how to obtain this treasured piece of the school’s history is available at https://turf.westconn10.com/. Visitors to this site are also encouraged to leave a written memory and/or photo.
Mingachos, also former Women’s Soccer Coach and alumnus (soccer All-American and Hall of Fame), is no stranger to change. “Chuck helped build the tradition, and now the Wolf will carry it forward as we continue to grow our programs and our university with pride and purpose.”
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.