Building a UNLV soccer program

Friday, June 6, 1997 | 5:47 a.m.

Work is well under way for what will become the 16th varsity sport at UNLV -- women's soccer. The team, which begins play in fall 1998, still has a lot of work to do in preparation for its inaugural season. Here are some questions and answers about the newest UNLV sport:

WHO WILL COACH?: A six-member screening committee has narrowed the search to four finalists. UNLV hopes to announce its new coach by the end of the month and have that person on campus prior to the start of the 1997 fall semester.

WHERE WILL THEY PLAY?: The women will use 2,500-seat Peter Johann Field as their home stadium. They will use the two practice fields adjacent to the stadium and will having dressing facilities at both the Robert J. Miller Soccer Building and the Lied Athletic Complex.

WHERE WILL THE PLAYERS COME FROM?: UNLV initially will emphasize recruiting locally and in the West. Eventually, the plan is to develop a national recruiting base.

WHO WILL UNLV PLAY?: The Rebels will become the 14th Western Athletic Conference team and will compete in the Pacific Division against Brigham Young, Utah, Fresno State, San Diego State, Hawaii and San Jose State. In addition, UNLV likely will host at least one four-team tournament and has been invited to compete in at least two out-of-town tournaments in 1998.

HOW MANY PLAYERS; HOW MANY SCHOLARSHIPS?: The plan calls for a 24-player roster with 12 scholarships, the maximum allowed under NCAA rules, to be available over a two-year period. There will be six scholarships available in 1998 and an additional six in 1999.

WHEN WILL THEY PLAY?: Women play collegiate soccer in the fall, same as the men. The first game will be played in early September, 1998.