|
|
 |
Belson Soccer Stadium |
|
ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY BREAKS GROUND FOR BELSON SOCCER STADIUM ON QUEENS CAMPUS
Jamaica, NY (February 1, 2002) – Using the shovel that was employed to break ground on the first buildings constructed on Queens campus in the 1950s, St. John’s University kicked off construction of Belson Soccer Stadium on the Queens campus today, commencing the latest project in the university’s Master Plan. Taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony were St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.; project donors Maxine and Jerome Belson and their son, Tad; and Red Storm Men’s Soccer Coach Dave Masur.
Construction of the soccer stadium will begin immediately and the field is expected to be ready for play in the Fall 2002 season. The stadium, to be used for the men’s and women’s soccer programs, is primarily funded by a $6 million gift from Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Belson, Esq. Mr. Belson is a graduate of the School of Law, a member of the University’s Board of Trustees and a generous benefactor of St. John’s. The new stadium will seat approximately 3,000 spectators and include a press box, private suites and media room. It will be situated on a raised platform, with parking underneath, adjacent to the St. John’s baseball field. “Once again, we are blessed by the extraordinary generosity of Jerry and Maxine Belson, as we further enhance our Queens campus and our entire university,” said Fr. Harrington. “This stadium will greatly benefit our outstanding student-athletes, especially our soccer teams, for years to come.” “We’re going to have one of the premier soccer facilities in the BIG EAST, and one of the top in the country,” Head Men’s Soccer Coach Dave Masur said. “This field will give our student-athletes a quality field to play on, and the closeness of the field to the stands will make our supporters feel like they’re part of the game.”
Since taking over the St. John’s men’s soccer program in 1991, Coach Masur has guided the Red Storm men’s program to five BIG EAST Tournament Championships (1992-94, 98). His 10-year record of 159-41-23 at St. John’s makes him the winningest coach in program history and his 14-year career record of 212-62-29 ranks among the top in the nation. As one of the elite programs at the NCAA Division I level, St. John’s won the NCAA Division I Championship in 1996 and has been selected to the NCAA Tournament the last nine years, reaching the Sweet 16 in each of the last five seasons.
The women’s soccer team will also play on the field. Having reached the ECAC Championship game the last two years behind the able coaching of Ian Stone, the team has an overall 65-55-11 record. The team won the BIG EAST title in 1994. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the new St. John’s, with state-of-the-art facilities that will attract the best student-athletes in the country,” Stone added. “This is something that can take our program to new heights in the BIG EAST, and beyond.” “It is a pleasure to be involved with a project that will reinforce St. John ’s University’s national reputation for a commitment to excellence and success,” said Bruce Fox, vice president of New York-based HRH Construction LLC, the firm chosen to build the new stadium. HRH will oversee the building of the stadium. The firm has been the builder and construction manager of many of New York’s most prominent structures, and is known as an industry leader for its expertise in planning, development and construction of a variety of projects. “Urbitran is proud to have been selected to serve as the design builder for the Belson Soccer Stadium and to continue the long standing relationship we have with St. John’s University,” said Senior Vice President Lawrence Rosenbloom. Urbitran, a multi-disciplinary Architectural/Engineering firm known for its ability to find creative engineering solutions, has successfully completed projects similar to this one in the past. Rosenbloom stated he is confident that this project will add to the firm’s portfolio of projects completed on time and on budget and be an outstanding addition to the St. John’s Queens campus.
Founded in 1870 by the Vincentian community, St. John's University has six schools and colleges. It offers associate, baccalaureate, master's, doctoral and professional degrees. The University enjoys an enrollment of approximately 18,900 students and operates five campuses: in Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and Oakdale in New York and in Rome, Italy. An artist rendering of the field is available via e-mail upon request.
For the most up-to-date information and statistics on St. John’s Athletics, please visit www.redstormsports.com.
For more information contact Jody Fisher, Director of Media Relations, at 718-990-6185 or Mike “Mex” Carey, Assistant Director of Sports Information, at 718-990-1521.
|
| Last Updated On:
Friday, March 15, 2002 | |
