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Indianapolis Known as the “Circle City” due to I-465 that encompasses the heart of town. Indianapolis is just about directly in the center of Indiana. Indianapolis is a sports mad city. “Naptown,” as it is also referred to, has hosted Olympic trials, Goodwill Games, World Basketball Championships, college basketball tournament, the Indianapolis Grand Prix, The NHRA Grand Nationals, and of course, the Indy 500. This does not mention the Indianapolis Colts or the Pacers. It also boasts one of the most unique venues and best supported minor league baseball teams, the Indianapolis Indians. Indianapolis has along history of international sporting events and has always had the facilities and nice downtown accommodations that will continue to attract these types of high profile events. Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers and the World Basketball Championships, is probably the finest arena of its kind and is directly in the heart of downtown. The RCA dome is home to the Indianapolis Colts and various other large scale events. Two things become obvious in any visit through or to Indiana, they love to race and they love their basketball. Indiana, any given year, can put 8 teams in the NCAA tournament in division one alone, and have done that feat; Ball State, Valparaiso, Notre Dame, Purdue, Butler, Indiana State, Evansville, and of course, the Indiana Hoosiers. This is a state that is not exactly know for its soccer culture or history as a state. However, in Indiana University they do have one of, if not the premier college soccer program in the U.S. The youth soccer is large on the participation side in Indianapolis and suburbs. It is also growing and getting a bit more inroads into the African American population. However, it would not rival a St. Louis, Tampa, or Jersey by a long shot. The Indiana Blast makes its home in near downtown Indy at Kuntz Stadium. Built at a cost of $1.5 million for the 1987 Pan American Games, the stadium debuted August 9, 1987, as 6,000 fans saw the US National Team defeat Trinidad & Tobago 3-1. Twelve days later, a stadium-record crowd of 14,000 cheered Brazil on to the Gold Medal, 2-0 over Chile.The city of Indianapolis purchased the land from a private developer in 1984 for $550,000 and completely reconstructed the venue in preparation for the Pan Am Games. The renovation, funded in part by Lilly Endowment, the City of Indianapolis, Geupel DeMars and the community, was completed with the understanding that soccer events would take precedence over all activities, and would be considered the main sport and priority at the complex. With this in mind, the entire field design and preparation was completed for the highest level of soccer competition, and although comparable activities may be permitted at the facility, the field would continually be maintained in excellent condition. Kuntz Memorial Soccer Stadium consists of two full-size lighted soccer fields, four locker rooms, a taping room, an officials room, a conference/VIP hospitality room, a glass-enclosed press box, and (in its present configuration) bleacher seating capacity of 6,760, which can potentially be expanded to 13,800. Kuntz Stadium is located at 1502 West 16th Street in Indianapolis, across from the 16th Street Speedway (formerly Bush Stadium). Indiana Blast MorSports,Inc. Kuntz Stadium Capacity: 6,760 The Blast are owned by MorSports Inc. MorSports named Jimmy McDonald Head Coach of the Indiana Blast for the 2003 season. McDonald was the organization's original head coach when the Blast played in the USL D3 Pro League in 1997. He also coached the Blast their first two seasons in the A-League, leading them to the playoffs in 2000. The Blast have a failry cosmopolitan lineup with some quality players from Brazil, England, Paris, South Africa, Mexico, and of course all across the U.S. 2002 was a disappointing season for the Blast, Indiana’s only professional soccer team. They finishedWith only 6 wins, 4 draws, and 18 defeats. They finished last in the Central Division and only 2 teams in the A-League had worse records. The Blasts problems are many, but they have difficulty scoring goals. Only 29 goals scored in 28 matches played. Couple that with the fact they had the leakiest defense in the league conceding 67 goals and you have an indication of the bumpy road ahead for Jimmy McDonald. The Blast are affiliated with Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire of MLS. Crowds are usually in the 5,000 range and are smallish, but generally enthusiastic in the rather intimate confines of Kuntz Stadium. There is a decidedly family atmosphere at all sporting events in Indianapolis and the Blast events are no different. The Blast have a terrific website http://www.indianablast.com/blast/index.html and do have an electronic mailing list. The site is well thought out and maintained. It has pretty much anything one would need for information about the club. The only thing it does not contain has to do with the all important pubs. Directions From the South: Take I-65 North to the Meridian Street Exit. Turn right (north) on Meridian Street and go to 16th Street. Turn left on 16th Street and go approximately 3 miles West. Kuntz Stadium is on your right. From the Northeast: Take I-69 south to I-465 South on the East Side. Take I-465 South to I-70 West towards downtown. Take I-70 West to I-65 North. Take I-65 North to the Meridian Street Exit. Turn right (north) on Meridian Street and go to 16th Street. Turn left on 16th Street and go approximately 3 miles West. Kuntz Stadium is on your right. From the East: Take I-70 West to I-65 North. Take I-65 North to the Meridian Street Exit. Turn right (north) on Meridian Street and go to 16th Street. Turn left on 16th Street and go approximately 3 miles West. Kuntz Stadium is on your right. Tickets Around Town Fox & Hound English Pub & Grille Hotels and Accomodations Brickyard Crossing Golf Resort & Inn Restaurants Glacier's End Alcatraz Brewing Co. Broad Ripple Brewing Co. Circle City Beer Works/ James Edwards Breweries Ltd Rock Bottom Brewery If this information does not assist the soccer traveler, I have included some there is also a helpful source that has helped me before at the club itself and if any information is needed prior to a visit, he would love to help: Helpful Links |