Fairfield University to Celebrate Rafferty Stadium Dedication Day — a new state-of-the art lacrosse and athletics stadium on campus. | Press Releases

FAIRFIELD, Conn., (March 12, 2015) — Lacrosse fans, students, and benefactors will be on hand on March 21st as Fairfield University marks the official dedication of Rafferty Stadium. The new 3,500-seat stadium 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.

The ceremony will be on campus at the stadium at 4:00 p.m. and is flanked by a lacrosse doubleheader (Women’s vs. Manhattan College at 2:00 p.m. and Men’s vs. Villanova University at 5:30 p.m.). Rafferty Stadium is home to Fairfield’s nationally prominent NCAA Division I lacrosse teams and will also be home to the University’s club and intramural sports programs. Fairfield Prep athletics will utilize the facility for several of its teams. In addition, the stadium is expected to bring premier athletic events at the club, scholastic and collegiate levels to the town of Fairfield.

Town of Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau said, "Fairfield University continues to be on the forefront of new and exciting projects like this premier stadium that will not only enhance the University and the Town, but will attract residents and visitors eager to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience."

For the local lacrosse community, Rafferty Stadium is unique in the state of Connecticut as a venue of its size and capabilities designed specifically to host lacrosse events.

Fairfield men’s lacrosse, now in its seventh season under the direction of Head Coach Andy Copelan, has joined a new conference - the nationally competitive Colonial Athletic Association. Fairfield returns 26 student-athletes from a squad that finished with a record of 12-4 in 2014, matching the program record for victories. The Stags rose as high as No. 11 in the national rankings last spring en route to winning the ECAC Lacrosse League Regular Season Title for the first time in program history. Fairfield also reached the ECAC Championship Game for the third time in the last four campaigns.

The Stags were projected to finish third in the CAA Preseason Poll and recognized in the national preseason rankings by several media outlets.

Led by Head Coach Mike Waldvogel in his seventh year at the helm, Fairfield women’s lacrosse looks to continue its tradition of excellence within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this season. The Stags won a share of the MAAC Regular Season Championship as a part of a 12-5 campaign last spring, marking their ninth consecutive trip to the MAAC postseason. Fairfield was tabbed for a third-place finish in the MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

In addition to the field-level amenities, the stadium includes a terrace level with a fully-enclosed press box that includes a large media suite, two VIP suites and a production suite to support the video capabilities of the scoreboard, live television broadcasts and web streaming.

This event is sponsored by Fairfield University and Fairfield University Athletics.