Putting a Name to the Face of D-III Excellence at St. Lawrence
Following a transformational lead gift from George Karpus ’68, the focus shifts to raising the additional funds that will make this facility a reality for our D-III student-athletes.
“It’s amazing to think about Appleton’s second phase,” says Bob Durocher, senior associate vice president for St. Lawrence Athletics. “Every time I walk into the renovated Appleton Arena, I see the transformation, and I look forward to showing it to alumni. This next round of construction raises the bar on facilities for our Division III athletic programs.”
Currently, St. Lawrence has $7 million in resources secured for the project, the result of a lead gift from George Karpus ’68. St. Lawrence must now meet the fundraising goal of $10.6 million.
“Moving forward on this project will have a tremendous impact on student-athletes and the University,” says Durocher. He’s excited by all of the additional space that will be part of the George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center at Appleton. Global design and architecture firm HOK, responsible for transforming Appleton Arena through phase-one renovations, is once again partnering with St. Lawrence on the D-III space.
The expansion will include an additional entrance for home and visiting teams; team rooms for softball, field hockey, and women’s and men’s lacrosse; a rowing complex; an additional training and treatment center; a coaches’ strategy room; a video and media room; and players and alumni lounges.
“This second phase will give supporters an opportunity to make a lasting impact on Saints programs by naming spaces that will make a profound difference in the student-athlete experience at St. Lawrence,” says Andy Whittier ’91, P’24, director for athletic development and principal gift officer.
“Over the years, we’ve simply outgrown our space,” says Whittier. “Expanding gives our student-athletes and their teams more resources to become stronger and more competitive. That translates to additional opportunities across all of our Division III programs.”
He adds that little things can go a long way. “Having a player’s lounge or a stick room specific to field hockey players, or a larger space for strength and conditioning—these are important from a recruiting perspective as well as what’s needed to be game ready.”
“This will be a premier space for Division III sports. There’s no question about that,” says Durocher, who believes this will put St. Lawrence recruiting in a position of strength while giving student-athletes a competitive edge on the field, in the water, on the ice, and in the classroom.
“As a result of Phase I, our hockey players—men and women—spend a lot of time in their lounges doing homework, studying, and just having conversations to catch up with each other,” says Durocher. “It gives the student side of the athlete a chance to sit down and catch their breath.”
“Opportunity is in the best interest of our student-athletes and their St. Lawrence experience,” says Durocher. “With the impact of phase one starting to resonate, we know what this second round of construction can do.”
To make a gift in support of Division III athletics at St. Lawrence or learn more about naming opportunities, please contact Andy Whittier at awhittier@stlawu.edu.
