Rafferty Stadium

Rafferty Stadium
The Raff
Location 1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
Owner Fairfield University
Operator Fairfield University
Capacity 3,500 (2014–present)
Surface FieldTurf
Construction
Broke ground 2014[1]
Built 2014
Opened February 2, 2015
Construction cost $16 million
Architect CannonDesign
Tenants
Fairfield Stags (NCAA)
Rafferty Stadium Scoreboard

Rafferty Stadium is a 3,500-seat lacrosse stadium on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. It is home to the Fairfield Stags men's and women's lacrosse teams. The facility opened officially on February 2, 2015. The stadium is named in recognition of the principal leadership gift from Larry Rafferty ’64 and his family. Conway Field is named in acknowledgment of a gift from Tim Conway ’76 and his family.

Facility overview

Rafferty Stadium features a Daktronics HD video board and state-of-the-art sound and lights. Conway Field is a FieldTurf playing surface. The 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.

Stephen Holland painting

The Rafferty Stadium President's Suite is home to an original painting by renowned American sports artist Stephen Holland. His first artwork of a lacrosse player, the painting honors Fairfield University, its academic and Jesuit mission, and those who made Rafferty Stadium possible. The painting was commissioned by Paul Huston '80.[2]

Memorable events

  • On March 21, 2015, Fairfield University President Jeffrey P. von Arx S.J. officially dedicated and blessed Rafferty Stadium and Conway Field while the women's lacrosse team defeated the Manhattan Jaspers and the men's lacrosse team defeated the then nationally ranked Villanova Wildcats.[3]
  • In April 2015, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) played its 2015 Men's Lacrosse Championship at Rafferty Stadium after the Fairfield Stags won the CAA regular season title during its inaugural season in the league.[4]
  • In October 2015, Dennis Edwards of The Temptations performed a concert on Conway Field during the Fairfield University Alumni and Family Weekend.[5]
  • In August 2016, three former Stags competed in the first-ever professional sporting event at Rafferty Stadium. Men’s lacrosse standouts Greg Downing ‘07, Mike Bocklet ‘07 and former Stag Matt Bocklet of the Denver Outlaws defeated the New York Lizards, 20-17, in a Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Semi-Final Game.

References

  1. ↑ "Rafferty Stadium Groundbreaking-Fairfield University". FairfieldStags. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Rafferty Stadium Stephen Holland Artwork". FairfieldStags. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ Fairfield University (April 7, 2015). "Two Wins on Day of Dedication for Rafferty Stadium".
  4. ↑ "2015 #CAAChamps Men's Lacrosse Preview". CAASports. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Alumni Family Weekend 2015 Concert Timelapse". Fairfield University. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.

Coordinates: 41°13′9″N 73°14′45″W / 41.21917°N 73.24583°W / 41.21917; -73.24583

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