Saint Joseph's College Celebrates Addition of Lighted Turf Athletics Complex

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Saint Joseph's Communications

STANDISH, Maine - Saint Joseph’s College celebrated the construction of its $4.7 million athletics complex with a ceremonial turf-setting event on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. on Westerlea Way on the Sebago Lake campus in Standish. The complex, construction for which began in the fall of 2016, will include an artificial turf-surfaced field, an eight-lane track, lights, and on-site parking. The facility will host its first competition–a men’s soccer game–on September 1, 2017.

In addition to serving as the home venue for the College’s NCAA Division III Monks teams–especially the soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse programs–the site will significantly bolster southern Maine’s available athletics facilities, becoming the first lighted turf/track college venue south of Waterville.

President James Dlugos, Ph.D. said, “We are proud that this facility will service not only our student-athletes, but also the College recreation programs that engage the Lakes Region community and other outside groups from all over New England.”

“This facility falls perfectly in line with our College’s core values of Excellence and Community,” said Saint Joseph’s Athletics Director Brian Curtin. “It also fulfills our athletic department’s principle of striving to provide the highest quality student-athlete experience possible.”

A broad base of support has rallied around the project. The College’s Board of Trustees voted to provide seed money to kick off the project and a number of generous individual and corporate donors have offered support, including Dead River Company, Cross Insurance, Prime Time Sports, Norway Savings Bank, and the Dick Bailey Family. Additionally, a fundraising challenge created by the Putnam Family to underwrite the distinctive lighting for the new facility in honor of Dick Bailey, a decorated Marine who formerly served as Dean of Students and as the Head Softball Coach, and who continues to serve as Associate Head Softball Coach. A groundswell of donations from alumni, staff, and faculty have been generated by the challenge.

The Putnam challenge has generated many generous gifts from alumni, staff, and faculty so far and we look for many more gifts by the end of our fiscal year, June 30, 2017. 

Student Athletes Talk About The Field

Interviews by Lauren Legere '17

Brooke Troup Talks About the New Track and Field Facility

How does Brooke feel about the new turf field project?  Brooke says, “It will be a great change for the college. This new track and field will bring in new students, as well as attract faculty and community to come together.  It will be a place not just for the athletes, but for everyone.”  Read more from Brooke

Chasing the Competitive Edge on the New Turf Field

When Sean was asked his thoughts on the new track and turf field facility, he said, “It is a big step for Saint Joseph’s because it will be a consistent playing surface for the athletes. It will also help the athletic program progress even further by bringing in some big recruits.”  Read more from Sean 

Schematic Drawing of the Turf Field