WATERBURY, Conn (June 24, 2011) Post University broke ground today on construction of a new turf field to support its 15 NCAA Division II athletic programs and Sprint Football team. The first game will be played upon the project's completion this fall. The first Sprint Football game will be October 14 when the Eagles host Princeton University.

 “The addition of a multipurpose turf field will improve our ability to attract talented student-athletes who are focused on being successful both on the field and in the classroom,” said Anthony Fallacaro, Post University Athletic Director. “This turf field is another step toward providing our student athletes with top-notch facilities that can support the development of skills that will serve them well on and off the field.”

The synthetic turf field, which will be installed in place of the existing natural grass field at Post University's Waterbury campus, will serve as a multipurpose facility for the University's  football, men's and women's soccer, and women's lacrosse teams. Adjacent to the football field will be a revitalized softball field featuring a turf outfield and clay infield.  New dugouts will be constructed for the softball field, which will remain in their current location.

This field will allow for the University's two-year-old sprint football team to compete on campus for the first time. The site will eventually host league members including Army, Navy, Princeton, Cornell, Penn, and Mansfield, all of whom will travel to the Waterbury campus to participate in some very exciting football.

“As a Division II school, we generally have a small, loyal group of spectators, and we look forward to welcoming our students, members of our players' families, and visiting teammates, to this new field in the fall,” added Fallacaro.

The project is being managed by Friar Associates based in Farmington, a firm employing more than 25 people.

HI Stone & Son Construction is the general contractor. The Southbury based company employs more than 50 people from the surrounding area.

One advantage of a turf field over natural grass is its ability to recover to a playable condition following rainfall. The field will need only one half-hour to dry before it can be used again, said Fallacaro.

Construction is slated to begin immediately to ensure the field is ready in time for the fall season.

The installation of the field is one of several projects totaling $5.1 million being undertaken by Post University over the next several months. Other projects include renovating West Hall, one of six residence halls on campus, as well as replacing the roofs of four dormitories. Renovations also include improvements to several academic buildings, the Traurig Library, and the campus grounds. 

 “The investments we are making in our campus not only benefit our students, faculty and staff, they benefit greater Waterbury area,” said Ronald W. Ogrodnik, president of Post University.  “The positive growth we're experiencing allows us to continue to add good-paying jobs, provide work for Connecticut businesses, and contribute to the overall economic development of the Greater Waterbury area and the state.  It's a win-win-win for our students, our University and our community,”