Two Wins on Day of Dedication for Rafferty Stadium
Victories on the newly-named Conway Field for both ¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp men’s and women’s lacrosse teams highlighted a day-long celebration on Saturday, March 21 as the University hosted the official dedication of its new home venue – Rafferty Stadium.
The 3,500-seat facility features a Daktronics HD video board, state-of-the-art sound and lights and a FieldTurf playing surface, all made possible through the generosity of Fairfield alumni, parents and friends. The stadium is named in recognition of the principal leadership gift from Larry Rafferty ’64 and his family, and the field is named in acknowledgment of a gift from Tim Conway ’76 and his family.
Rafferty Stadium also includes a terrace level with a fully-enclosed press box that features a large media suite, two VIP suites and a production suite to support the video capabilities of the scoreboard, television broadcasts and web streaming. On the ground level are two team rooms, food/beverage and apparel concessions, restrooms, a box office and entry plaza.
After the Fairfield women’s lacrosse team opened its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedule with a 12-3 win over Manhattan, the official dedication ceremony was held at the entrance to Rafferty Stadium.
A sizeable crowd of students, alumni, parents, benefactors and the local lacrosse community attended the dedication along with Town of Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau. ¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. performed a blessing of the stadium as well as the afternoon’s keynote address.
“While this dedication highlights our men’s and women’s lacrosse programs this afternoon, it is a celebration of significance for the entire University,” said Fr. von Arx. “I stand before you today because of a shared commitment within our community to provide our student-athletes with the best facilities and the opportunity to excel as competitors.”
Fr. von Arx added, “As a Jesuit university, we demand that our students answer a higher calling by making a difference in the lives of others. Our alumni continue to answer that calling well after they have left our campus through their selflessness and their service to community.”
Remarks were also presented by Senior Vice President of Administration and Chief of Staff Dr. Mark C. Reed, Director of Athletics Gene Doris and lacrosse student-athletes Kayla Arnold ’15 and Jay Walsh ’17.
“Our goal is always to provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to succeed,” commented Doris. “Facilities like Rafferty Stadium present our lacrosse teams with the best opportunity to succeed on the field and build on the pride they have in representing ¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp and the community. Not only will this facility help our current student-athletes to fulfill their own goals, but it will allow them to build upon the legacy of those who came before them.”
Following the dedication and blessing, the Fairfield men’s lacrosse team concluded the day with an 11-4 victory over nationally-ranked Villanova.
