New Stadium Will Put Jackrabbits Soccer on the Map

Soccer standout Karlee Manding predicts, “Our best is yet to come.”

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Jackrabbits soccer is a sport on the move.

It has established a standard of consistently premier performances in competition. Since the team was officially formed in 2000, the team has advanced to six NCAA tournaments and won 13 conference championships. Jackrabbits have had 115 All-Summit League selections, including 44 first-team picks, 18 Summit League Yearly Award Honors, and 8 NSCAA/USC All-Region selections, including one NSCAA All-American. In 2021, the team finished with a program record of 17 wins.

The SDSU soccer team poses with their trophy right after they won the 2021 Summit League Championship against Denver. — 2021 Summit League Champions

With that level of success and unrivaled team culture, the Athletic Department has developed plans for a new on-campus soccer stadium. Efforts are underway to find a lead donor to jumpstart the project, which is planned for the space east of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The facility would elevate the program overall by offering a space dedicated to the team, allowing fans greater access to matches and allowing players a better environment to practice and compete.

Features of the project will include:

State-of-the-art natural field turf
State-of-the-art field lighting
New scoreboard/video board
Permanent grandstand and press box
Covered benches for student-athletes

I believe the opportunity to move to campus will launch our program toward even greater success. It will provide increased visibility and a first-rate student-athlete experience for the amazing young women within our program.

Brock Thompson | Head Coach

One of the players Thompson alludes to is Karlee Manding. A native of Waipahu, Hawaii, Karlee competed with the soccer team for all four years of her time at State. In fact, the program was the primary reason she chose SDSU to pursue her education. Associate Head Coach Andy Janssen scouted Karlee after noticing her standout performance in a tournament at Washington State during her high school years. One tour of SDSU sealed the deal for her.

Kylee looks over the soccer field while she's in possession of the ball.

The SDSU soccer team huddles before a game, dressed in yellow and blue jerseys.

“I fell in love with the people here at SDSU. Being so far away from home, it was important for me to find a school with an awesome community, and I sure found that here,” explains Karlee.

“I love being a Jackrabbit because I feel a part of something bigger than just a soccer team. I was able to find a second family in Brookings, and it is an honor to be on a team this special.” - Karlee Manding

Kaycee and Karlee Manding stand side by side, with a Hawaiian flag behind them, wearing their SDSU soccer uniforms. — Kaycee and Karlee Manding

While Karlee found a second family in Brookings, she also brought a piece of her first family to SDSU, as well: her younger sister, Kaycee, who also plays for the Jackrabbits soccer team.

Karlee predicts the on-campus facility will elevate the team personally and professionally.

“A new facility has the potential to change the atmosphere at Jackrabbits soccer games,” she said. “I think every one of my teammates will agree that we have the best fans at SDSU, and to have a field on campus encourages more students to come to games. I think that this will create a whole new experience for the program.”