Fairfield University will host the official dedication of Rafferty Stadium, its new, 3,500-seat lacrosse venue, March 21 with a lacrosse doubleheader.
The Stags women’s team faces the Manhattan College Jaspers at 2 p.m., and the men take on the Villanova University Wildcats at 5:30 p.m.
In a statement, the school said the multimillion-dollar stadium ”“ online sources place the cost at $16 million ”“ “is the result of the dedication and generosity of Fairfield alumni, parents and friends.”
The stadium is named in recognition of the principal gift by Larry Rafferty, Class of 1964, his daughter, Kathleen Rafferty Hay, Class of 2003, and his son Michael Rafferty. The playing field will be named for Tim Conway, Class of 1976, and his family for his contribution to the university.
“The ultimate goal for the Fairfield University men”™s lacrosse team is simple: to win an NCAA championship, and that is attainable,” said Eugene Doris, Fairfield’s director of athletics, in a statement. “I believe that the men”™s lacrosse program is on track to be in the top 10 annually.”
“Fairfield University is showing a clear commitment to the lacrosse programs and this only helps to solidify our place amongst the elite in our sport,” said head men’s lacrosse coach Andy Copelan. “College lacrosse is ever changing, but my belief in our future remains constant. We have much to be excited about and Rafferty Stadium will be at the core of it all.”
The stadium with grandstands along both sidelines features a FieldTurf playing surface along with what the school terms “a state-of-the-art lighting system.”
A high-definition scoreboard has been installed, along with two team rooms, food, beverage and apparel concessions, restrooms, a box office and an entry plaza, all on the ground floor.
The stadium also features a terrace level with an enclosed press box and media suite, two VIP suites and a production suite.
Last year”™s men”™s team was ranked as high as 11th nationally. The women”™s team has earned an early No. 3 ranking in its conference, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and has already notched a win on the yet-to-be-dedicated field, beating cross-town Catholic rival Sacred Heart University 11-2.
