Laker for Life campaign surpasses $9.5 million goal
“ The generosity of our alumni, friends and fans has been overwhelming, said Director of Athletics Brad Davis. The gifts to the Laker for Life campaign have helped us chart a new course and realize the new vision for Laker athletics quickly. ” “ ” Upgrades have been completed to Saxon Stadium, the baseball/soccer feld, and the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Up next: completion of a new turf feld for Mercyhurst softball and improvements to the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Laker for Life campaign launched in 2019 as a transformative force for Mercyhurst Athletics programs and the student-athlete experience. William and Betsy Hirt Vorsheck, along with John and Patty Kaliszak Saxon, kicked of the campaign with donations of $4 million and $1 million respectively. In less than two years, the Laker for Life campaign has exceeded its $9.5 million goal and has already changed the face of multiple Mercyhurst athletic programs and facilities. The upgrades to athletic facilities are already apparent. Saxon Stadium has a new synthetic turf feld surface, as well as LED lighting to help extend practice and competition options. The baseball and soccer feld also received a new synthetic playing surface, plus expanded bullpens and dugouts.
‘ The Mercyhurst Ice Center got a facelift with new boards, glass, fooring, a fresh coat of paint and new graphics. The Ice Center s cooling system was upgraded for the frst time since the facility opened in 1991. New locker room spaces were added to house the Mercyhurst softball and womens soccer teams, as well as locker rooms to improve the experience of visiting teams and local teams using Mercyhurst facilities. ’ Although construction has been slowed by COVID-19, ground has been broken on a third synthetic turf feld in partnership with Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Construction ’ will resume this spring on the new feld, which will provide a home for Mercyhurst softball as well as for Mercyhurst Preps soccer and softball teams. It will also serve as an additional practice facility for Laker feld hockey, lacrosse, and soccer. Also slated for improvements this summer is the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Upgrades to the gym foor, seating, and scoreboards are planned, with completion scheduled for this September. ’ The success of the Laker for Life campaign is a testament to Mercyhurst s continued commitment to provide a frst class experience for Laker student-athletes. -
Senior Class Gift to honor Kenny Robinson’s legacy Kenny Robinson had an infectious smile and indomitable spirit. He left his mark on the baseball program and the whole university community during his time at Mercyhurst. No matter what obstacles he faced, Kenny brought the “Beat the Odds” mentality with him every day and challenged others to Beat the Odds as well. Kenny was a key member of the Lakers’ back-to-back Regional Championship and World Series baseball teams. He graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in sport business management, and had intended to return to campus to study for a master’s degree in organizational leadership while helping coach the baseball team. After his tragic death last May, the Class of 2021 decided to honor him with its Senior Class Gift, a “Beat the Odds” scholarship named for him. The Senior Class Gift Committee set out to raise $15,000 to create the endowed scholarship, and is more than halfway toward that goal even though the pandemic has eliminated many of its customary group fundraisers. Anyone wishing to donate can visit mercyhurst.edu/alumni/senior-class-gift-give . Among those contributing toward the scholarship was the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, which raised nearly $2,300 through a sale of apparel that featured Robinson’s “Beat the Odds” mantra. In the words of the Senior Class Gift Committee, “Kenny was a passionate athlete, a positive soul, a selfess friend, and a true teammate on and of the feld.”The Kenny Robinson Beat the Odds Scholarship will help a future Laker who embodies Kenny’s spirit and legacy in an inspirational and meaningful way. “Kenny was the ultimate winner and the ultimate teammate,” said head baseball coach Joe Spano. “The entire baseball program, our alums, our parents and our players join me in saying thank you to the senior class. They rallied behind this scholarship in Kenny’s honor, and it means the world to us that Kenny was a part of our program and his legacy is going to live on at Mercyhurst.”
20
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online