University’s New Athletics Campus Dedicated

The University of Scranton dedicated its new $14 million athletics campus in honor of Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., who served as of the 25^th president of the Jesuit university from July 2011 through May 2017.

“Today is the culmination of much dreaming, planning and building. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in the history of The University of Scranton,” said Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., interim president of the University. “It was Father Quinn’s strong unshaken resolve to build this campus that has led us to this day. It is so appropriate that this athletics campus bears his name – for it was he who envisioned this field of dreams, and he knew – if we build it, they would come.”

The 11-acre Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., Athletics Campus, located along Broadway Street in Scranton, will be home for the University’s soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball and softball Division III NCAA teams. The campus includes NCAA regulation baseball and softball fields and a multipurpose field that meets NCAA standards for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. The campus also includes bleacher seating at each field, a field house with team locker rooms and a training room, parking, a community basketball court and a children’s play area.

“In my opinion, athletics brings a vitality and energy to a college campus that benefits the entire university community. It is important that we invest in this experience not only for our current students but for future generations of Royals,” said Father Quinn at the dedication. “My friends, we have fulfilled our long-held dream of developing this place into an athletic campus appropriate and worthy for our University.”

The speakers, which included Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., chief of staff, and David Martin, director of athletics, thanked the many University benefactors, former and current trustees, government officials and community leaders, staff and faculty members for their support of the project.

Martin referred to the new facilities, which he called “second to none,” as a “game changer” for athletics and the University, as well as “a game changer for the entire community of Scranton. We are so blessed and so fortunate to have it here.”

Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright agreed.

“For me I think about the fact that not only will the University (student-athletes) get to play their games right here in the city of Scranton, but I think of all the people who will come in from the outlying areas and from out of town. They get to play here and they also get to see all that Scranton has to offer, and I am very grateful for that. This facility is second to none,” said Mayor Courtright.

Morgan Rentzheimer, a senior exercise science major and member of the University’s softball team, has played in the first games on Magis Field. She has already noticed area residents stopping to watch games as they walked along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trial that runs adjacent to the athletics campus.

The three fields on the athletics campus, which were named in recognition of the support of prominent Scranton alumni and their families, were also blessed as part of the dedication ceremony, as were the basketball court and the playground.

The 75 by 120 yard, synthetic-turf, multi-purpose field is named Robert and Marilyn Weiss Field in honor of University Trustee Robert Weiss ’68 and his wife, Marilyn. The synthetic-turf baseball field is named Charles J. Volpe Family Field, a name chosen by Charles (Chuck) Volpe Jr., Esq. ’82 and his wife, Ellen, in honor of the late Charles J. Volpe Sr. ’61, his children, and grandchildren who are graduates of the University. The synthetic-turf softball field is named Magis Field, a name chosen by former University Trustee Dennis J. McGonigle ’82 and his wife, Rachel. Magis, the Latin word meaning “more,” refers to the relentless desire to do more, grounded in gratitude for all of God’s gifts, which is a core Jesuit value and a key component of a Jesuit education.

The dedication ceremony can be viewed here.