Bulldog Women's Soccer Academy
Facilities/Directions
Drake Stadium
In 2005, Drake Stadium underwent significant improvements to make it one of the premier track and field facilities in the country. The Stadium, which has a capacity of 14,557, is home to the football and men’s and women’s soccer teams as well as the annual Drake Relays.
Following the 2005 Iowa State High School Track and Field Championships, the track was reconfigured and the new Mondo-surfaced track had lanes widened from 42 inches to 48 inches.
The $15 million renovation project features permanent lights, a video scoreboard, state of the art artificial grass infield by FieldTurf for football and soccer and improvements to the seating, restrooms and concessions as well as the press box.
In addition to the Drake Relays, the Stadium plays host to many other major events nationally and statewide. In 2007, Drake Stadium hosted the 2007 NCAA Midwest Regional Track and Field Championships and will welcome the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2008. Drake Stadium also hosts the Iowa High School Boys and Girls State track championships every May.
Drake Stadium has become a symbol on the Drake campus. It’s a spectacle every April as thousands of fans pack within its walls to cheer on track and field competitors from all over the world.
Cownie Soccer Complex
The Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines became the home of the Drake soccer team in 2003. The Des Moines Parks and Recreation staff improved the complex with the installation of lights for night games, a 1,000-seat bleacher addition, press box and soccer-based scoreboard.
The field has served as the site for numerous national and regional competitions including the 2007 Regional II Soccer Championship and 2006 USYSA National Championships. Cownie also served as the host site for the 2009 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men's Soccer and 2004 State Farm MVC Women’s Soccer Championships as well as the first-ever men's NCAA Tournament game when the Bulldogs defeated Western Illinois, 2-1, during the 2009 season.
Cownie Quick Facts:
- Press box with video platform
- Scoreboard
- Concession stand outside entrance gates
- Press box with video platform
- Scoreboard
- Two lighted fields, one with a 1,000 bleacher seating area
Directions to Drake Stadium
From Des Moines Airport to Drake Stadium - Via Fleur and MLK Parkway
1. Take a left from airport exit onto Fleur Dr.
2. Follow Fleur until you get to MLK Parkway.
3. Exit to the right to enter MLK.
4. Follow MLK Parkway and exit left on any of the streets following to get into the downtown area.
Directions from the Interstate
From North - Via I-35
1. Take I-35 south
2. Follow I-35 to I-235 south/west
3. Follow I-235 through downtown Des Moines
4. Exit on 31st Street
5. Turn right on 31st Street
6. Follow 31st Street to Forest Ave.
7. Turn right on Forest Avenue
8. Follow Forest Avenue to 28th St.
9. Drake Stadium is located on the intersection of 28th Street and Forest Avenue
From South - Via I-35
1. Take I-35 north
1. Follow I-35 north to I-235 east
2. Take I-235 east into Des Moines
3. Exit on 31st Street (Exit Number 6)
4. Turn left on 31st Street
5. Follow 31st Street to Forest Ave.
6. Turn right on Forest Avenue
7. Follow Forest Avenue to 28th St.
8. Drake Stadium is located on the intersection of 28th Street and Forest Avenue
From West - Via I-80
1. Take I-80 east
2. Follow I-80 to I-235 east
3. Take I-235 east into Des Moines
4. Exit on 31st Street
5. Turn left on 31st Street
6. Follow 31st Street to Forest Ave.
7. Turn right on Forest Avenue
8. Follow Forest Avenue to 28th St.
9. Drake Stadium is located on the intersection of 28th Street and Forest Avenue.
From East - Via I-80
1. Take I-80 west
2. Follow I-80 to I-235 south/west
3. Follow I-235 through downtown Des Moines
4. Exit on 31st Street
5. Turn right on 31st Street
6. Follow 31st Street to Forest Ave.
7. Turn right on Forest Avenue
8. Follow Forest Avenue to 28th St.
9. Drake Stadium is located at the intersection of 28th St. and Forest Avenue.
Cownie Soccer Complex Street Address:
2600 E. Hartford Ave.
Des Moines, IA, 50320