Yusuf: University of Memphis announces new stadium plans for soccer and track teams

University of Memphis officials gathered at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex on Tuesday, Aug. 20, to celebrate the announcement of a new stadium and the late Memphian it is named after.

The U of M announced plans for the Liza Wellford Fletcher Stadium, set to be home to the school’s men’s and women’s soccer teams and track and field squads. The school is naming the stadium in honor of Fletcher, who played for the women’s soccer team from 2006-07.

Brooks Monaghan has been Memphis’ women’s soccer team head coach for more than two decades. His tenure has included back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances and 14 conference championships in both Conference USA and the American Athletic Conference.

I've had the opportunity to work with some remarkable young ladies, and Liza was undoubtedly one of them," he said. "Liza was not the most gifted soccer player, but her dedication [and] spirit were great and [her] smile was unmatched. She wasn't just a player. She was a leader, she was a friend, and a true beacon of light for everyone who knew her.”

Fletcher, who was a teacher and runner, died in September 2022 after being abducted and killed during an early morning run. The ceremony sharing details about the new stadium project focused more on Fletcher’s impact in the community and the U of M's soccer program instead of how her life ended.

Now in her honor, Memphis is launching the Liza’s Light University of Memphis Soccer and Track Stadium Fund for the project. The school hopes to raise $7 million for the project's first phase, which includes a new soccer and track stadium grandstand, press box, women’s soccer locker room, and framework for the men's soccer locker room.

This is the latest stadium project Memphis is taking on with construction ongoing for $220 million in renovations to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, which is the Tigers' home football stadium.

Read more via Omer Yusuf of the Memphis Business Journal.