Rafferty Stadium
The Raff | |
 | |
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| 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) Connecticut Hammerheads (MLL) (2020) | |
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 university alumnus Larry Rafferty. The field of the stadium in named Conway Field in acknowledgment of a gift from Tim Conway, another alumnus.
Facility overview[edit]
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.
The Rafferty Stadium President's Suite is home to an original painting by renowned American sports artist Stephen Holland.[2]
Notable events[edit]
- 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]
Professional Lacrosse[edit]
- 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. [5]
- In January 2020, the newly formerd Connecticut Hammerheads of the MLL announced that Rafferty Stadium would be their home venue. [6]
- The Premier Lacrosse League is slated to host week 7 of its 2022 season at Rafferty Stadium on July 23-24, 2022.[7]
- The PLL announced their return to Raffery Stadium for week 5 of its 2023 season on July 14-15, 2023.[8]
| Date | Games | League | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 13, 2016 | Denver Outlaws 20–17 New York Lizards | MLL Semifinals |
6,423 | |
| July 23, 2022 | Redwoods 16–15 Atlas | PLL | TBD | |
| Whipsnakes 14–12 Chaos | ||||
| July 24, 2022 | Cannons 12–17 Archers | |||
| Chrome 10–11 Waterdogs | ||||
| July 14, 2023 | Waterdogs - Whipsnakes | PLL | TBD | |
| Archers - Redwoods | ||||
| July 15, 2023 | Chrome - Cannons | |||
| Atlas - Chaos |
References[edit]
- ^ "Rafferty Stadium Groundbreaking-Fairfield University". FairfieldStags. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "Rafferty Stadium Stephen Holland Artwork". FairfieldStags. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Fairfield University (April 7, 2015). "Two Wins on Day of Dedication for Rafferty Stadium".
- ^ "2015 #CAAChamps Men's Lacrosse Preview". CAASports. YouTube. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
- ^ "Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium". Fairfield University Athletics. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
- ^ @premierlacrosse (March 9, 2022). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved August 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ @premierlacrosse (March 30, 2023). "Register" (Tweet). Retrieved August 11, 2023 – via Twitter.
External links[edit]
- Connecticut Hammerheads
- Fairfield Stags lacrosse
- Buildings and structures in Fairfield, Connecticut
- College lacrosse venues in the United States
- Major League Lacrosse venues
- Premier Lacrosse League venues
- Lacrosse venues in Connecticut
- Sports venues in Fairfield County, Connecticut
- 2014 establishments in Connecticut
- Sports venues completed in 2014
- Northeastern United States sports venue stubs
- Connecticut building and structure stubs
- Connecticut sport stubs