Originally designed as a multi-purpose field to serve the entire university community, Reeves Field underwent its first major renovation in 1988, thanks to a $250,000 donation from Mrs. John Reeves. Included in that facelift was an automatic sprinkler system and a computer-operated soccer scoreboard to keep fans on top of the action.
During the summer of 1994, Hendrix and Dail, Inc., of Greenville, N.C., replaced the original Reeves Field playing surface with the exclusive Bermuda Bluegrass Sod found at all of the 1994 World Cup venues. The prescription turf was laid atop four inches of an 80 percent sand, 20 percent soil mixture, complete with laser leveling. A state-of-the-art drainage system runs beneath the surface with the capability of draining several inches or rain per hour, giving the AU athletic programs the ability to play under almost any amount of rain.
After being named Soccer Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association in 2002, Reeves Field underwent a $300,000 renovation three years later to construct a new foundation of Bermuda grass over a 12-inch sand base, replace the drainage system and install a new playing surface.
Most recently, the facility underwent a $1.5 million renovation in 2025. With a brand-new, bermudagrass surface, state-of-the-art irrigation and drainage systems, along with a new scoreboard, Reeves Field has cemented itself as one of the premier soccer facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. Greenberg Track has a new, high-caliber track surface to support the training of AU's varsity running student-athletes and benefit the entire university community.
The exclusive soccer pitch conforms to both NCAA and international standards with a roomy 74 x 117-yard playing surface. Reeves Field has been a popular location for professional and national teams on their summer tours.
In preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, national teams from the United States, Bolivia, and Portugal trained at Reeves before departing for games throughout the U.S. Brazil, Uruguay and Germany have also spent time at Reeves Field before friendly matches along the east coast.
In the summer of 2000, AU served as the practice site for Newcastle United, one of England's premier professional soccer clubs. A few years later, in 2004, FC Barcelona and Blackburn worked out at Reeves in preparation for matches as part of a United States tour.
Other professional teams from all over the world have come to use the field, including Manchester United, A.C. Milan, and Roma.
The field has also hosted teams from Major League Soccer (D.C. United, Miami Fusion, San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders) as a practice field.
In 2010, the U.S. National team utilized the field in preparation for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. In September of 2022, the U.S. Women's National Team trained at Reeves before a friendly against Nigeria at Audi Field.
ABOUT JOHN M. REEVES - Reeves served on AU Board of Trustees for 23 years, including the role of chairman. During his time as a trustee, Reeves was part of the groundbreaking ceremonies of the Abraham S. Kay Spiritual Life Center and the Watkins Art Building.
