Tiger Stadium groundbreaking ceremony set for April 18

Upgrades for RIT Athletics will be on display this week with a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new Tiger Stadium.

The ceremony will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 18, at the current stadium location, with a tent situated south of Doug May Field near the Gordon Field House.

In recent years, RIT has been diligently enhancing its athletic infrastructure, heralding a significant stride forward for its nearly 700 Tiger student-athletes. The first phase of the multi-million-dollar athletics improvements saw the relocation of the outdoor track facility and the introduction of new all-weather artificial turf fields for the baseball and softball teams in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, the installation of a new artificial turf field (Doug May Field), scoreboards, and lighting at the current Tiger Stadium occurred in 2022, setting the stage for what's to come.

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Rendering by LaBella Associates and Populous

The new Tiger Stadium, scheduled to open in fall 2025, will feature an outdoor concourse that is partially covered and will include concessions for Tiger fans.

The forthcoming Tiger Stadium replaces a 50-year-old structure and will feature a seating capacity of 1,180 seats, augmented by additional space in a hospitality room and standing room. The stadium will serve as the vibrant hub for men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer. The new stadium will boast state-of-the-art amenities, including team locker rooms, a comprehensive training room, a media suite, concessions, and a versatile hospitality room with sweeping views of the playing field.

Jacqueline Nicholson, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, said the new stadium represents more than just a physical structure; it embodies RIT’s commitment to athletic excellence and community spirit.

“The new stadium will be seen as a new entry point for campus and will create great exposure for RIT Athletics. When you come on campus, you will soon see a true focal point for Tiger spirit,” said Nicholson.

The groundbreaking ceremony will feature the following speakers:

• Nicholson, executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics;
• Sandra Johnson, senior vice president for Student Affairs;
• RIT President David Munson;
• Connor Flanegan, representing the Student Advisory Athletic Committee (SAAC) and men’s lacrosse;
• Liz Masterson, head coach, women’s soccer.

LaBella Associates is the local architect of record, with support in the design process by Populous, internationally known for stadium design. Pike Construction Services is the construction management company.  Construction is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025.