RIT community gathers to break ground on Tiger Stadium

Men’s lacrosse player Connor Flanegan is excited to soon walk into RIT’s new Tiger Stadium, a building that he says shows RIT cares about the student experience.

Flanegan, a second-year mechanical engineering major from Lansdale, Pa., joined students, faculty, and staff at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium on April 18. The
$30 million project, which will become the home of the men’s and women’s lacrosse and soccer teams, is expected to open in fall 2025.

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Travis LaCoss/RIT

Men’s lacrosse player Connor Flanegan, who is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee executive board, talked about the positive impact of the new Tiger Stadium on student-athletes’ training and competitiveness. He is pictured next to a rendering of the stadium.

Jacqueline Nicholson, RIT’s executive director of Intercollegiate Athletics, welcomed the crowd to what she called “a momentous occasion as we embark on a new chapter in our athletic history.”

“This achievement marks a pivotal moment in our journey to revitalize our athletic facilities and provide unparalleled experiences for our student-athletes, campus community, alumni, and the vibrant Rochester community,” she said. “Tiger Stadium will stand as a premier outdoor venue, distinguished by its size and configuration. It will elevate our athletic program, setting us apart from our competitors and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

The 38,828-square-foot facility will seat 1,180, with additional capacity in the hospitality room, along with standing room. Amenities for the new stadium include team locker rooms; a training room with two large hot and cold tubs, taping tables, and exam tables; media suite; concession area; hospitality room with glass viewing wall; and outdoor concourse. The stadium architect is LaBella Associates, with support in the design process by Populous, a nationally recognized stadium design firm. Construction is being managed by Pike Construction Services. 

“Tiger Stadium is one of many improvements to our athletic facilities, and it stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing our student-athletes with the finest resources and facilities to excel both on and off the field,” said Sandra Johnson, RIT’s senior vice president for Student Affairs. “This stadium is a testament to our shared values of perseverance, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.”

The new stadium is the latest in a series of enhancements to RIT’s athletic facilities. The first phase of the multi-million-dollar 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. Additionally, new artificial turf on Doug May Field, scoreboards, and lighting at the current venue set the stage for the new Tiger Stadium.

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Traci Westcott/RIT

The groundbreaking ceremony for RIT’s new Tiger Stadium on April 18 was held against the backdrop of Doug May Field.

“Tiger Stadium represents far more than just a structure of steel and concrete. It embodies the spirit of our community, the dedication of our student-athletes, and the commitment of our university to excellence in all endeavors,” said RIT President David Munson. “As we look ahead to the completion of Tiger Stadium, let us embrace this moment as a testament to the spirit of innovation and progress that defines RIT. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of excellence and create a brighter future for our university and our community.”

Flanegan, who is one of nearly 700 student-athletes at RIT, said that the new stadium helps RIT solidify itself as a top Division III sports program.

“This facility will allow RIT to not only have a better home for athletes to practice, recover, and spend time together, but to recruit players to ensure our athletic program’s success in the future,” he said. “This new state-of-the-art facility will give our athletes the premier experience they deserve.”