December 11, 2023 — Marist College today announced the Board of Trustees has authorized the launch of a fundraising campaign to support the construction of a state-of-the-art track and turf field facility in a stunning location overlooking the Hudson River on the North End of campus. 

This project will benefit many of Marist’s 23 Division I athletics teams – men’s and women’s track and field, cross country, lacrosse, and soccer, all of whom will use the facility for practice and/or competition. It will also serve as a community-wide recreation and wellness resource for students, faculty, and staff; club sports, such as rugby, ultimate frisbee, and soccer; and many intramural teams.

Most notably, Marist’s track and field and cross country programs will finally have a home. They were established over 60 years ago and have competed with notable success in Division I athletics since the early 1990s despite not having an on-campus facility for training or competitions.

Marist track athletes competing in a relay event. Photo by Marist Athletics.

“Our teams have achieved an impressive number of school records, as well as conference and regional level success, in the absence of a home field,” said Pete Colaizzo '86, who has served as head coach of the track and field and cross country teams since 1991. “A new on-campus track and turf field facility will only further elevate their training, conditioning, and competitiveness, and will attract a wider pool of future recruits to Marist.”

$1 Million Commitment Kick-Starts Fundraising
The fundraising effort kicked off with a generous lead commitment of $1 million from Marist Trustee Tim Tenney, which was established as a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge to catalyze momentum for the campaign and encourage others to donate.

“I’m excited to support our student-athletes through this long overdue project,” said Tenney. “I encourage others to contribute in any way they can, because this is a win-win that benefits not only Marist Athletics but also the entire community because of how wide-ranging the uses will be for the facility.”

The goal is to raise a minimum of $3.5 million toward the project. Success in these efforts will allow the College to achieve its ambitious timeline to complete the facility in time for the Spring 2025 athletic season.

Lacrosse and soccer teams practicing on Tenney Field. Photo by Marist Athletics.

“It is hard to overstate the importance of this project to our varsity, club, and intramural athletes, as well as the overall health and well-being of all Marist students, faculty, and staff,” said Marist President Kevin Weinman. “It will be a boost to recruitment efforts and its spectacular location will allow us to host local and regional sporting events, including area high schools, to introduce new audiences to Marist College.”

Weinman also noted that the project is, “a great way for the College’s supporters – alumni, parents, and friends of the College – to make an immediate, measurable, and wide-ranging impact through their generosity to the College.”

North Field, site of proposed new track and turf field facility. Photo by Zachary Gawron/Marist College.

Key Features and Benefits
Plans for the project include an NCAA regulation eight-lane running track with an artificial turf interior field on the site of the College’s existing North Field, which is largely used for intramural sports today. 

 The new facility would include space for various field events, including steeplechase, long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault. Throwing events, such as javelin, shot put, hammer and discus, would be held in redesigned space next to McCann Arena.

Kiana Pathirana ‘25 competing in the triple jump. Photo by Marist Athletics.

“My teammates and I will be really excited to have a track that we can call home,’’ said junior Kiana Pathirana, a psychology major from Shrewsbury, MA, who holds the school record in the triple jump. “I am thrilled to see the new heights our team will reach! We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the memories to come.”

Donate Today
For more information about the fundraising campaign, ways to contribute, or to make a gift today, visit our donation page.