Dorrance Field, the home venue for the UNC soccer and lacrosse programs, has expanded its name to Dorrance Field at Play2Dream Legacy Stadium. The expanded name comes in recognition of a gift from Kathleen Welsh and Gary Loveman, parents of two former UNC women’s soccer players.

UNC describes Play2Dream as “a private family foundation” founded in 2009.

“It brings fun fitness through playgrounds, community areas and sports that support underserved youth,” read a release from the university. “The Foundation also supports educational and charitable organizations that provide clothing, books and other educational resources.”

Dorrance Field was originally christened with its current name in 2019 to celebrate Anson Dorrance, the legendary UNC women’s soccer head coach who led the Tar Heels to 22 national championships, the most by a single head coach in any Division 1 sport. It replaced the former Fetzer Field, which stood on the same site before an extensive renovation transformed the facility. Dorrance coached in the stadium bearing his name for several seasons before retiring in the summer of 2024. In total, he spent 45 years in charge of the women’s soccer program, in addition to 11 years coaching the men’s program between 1977 and 1988.

“Thanks to Kathy and Gary’s generosity, our soccer and lacrosse teams, four programs with national championship pedigrees, get to play in the finest stadium in Division 1,” Dorrance said in a statement. “This privilege gives our coaches the opportunity to attract student-athletes who desire to play, to dream, and to burnish the legacy of these elite programs in the heart of the UNC campus.”

Since Dorrance Field was reopened in its current form in 2019, the UNC lacrosse and soccer programs have combined to win six ACC titles and three national titles — including the women’s soccer program’s 2024 national championship in the first season following Dorrance’s surprise retirement.

Outgoing UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham described Welsh and Loveman’s gift as fulfilling a “significant need” within the school’s athletic department, and said the families’ support has created “a lasting impact.”

“Play2Dream is about the joy of play, just for the sake of playing,” said Welsh. “It is Tobin Heath juggling the ball by herself after a hard game or practice. It’s about Mia Hamm practicing hard on her own, pushing to get better, when no one is watching. It’s about the dream as a child, to one day wear a UNC uniform and play under the lights… and proving that Anson’s leadership and all the coaching and staff support was the start to a true legacy of players and teams, at UNC and beyond.”

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

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