Page 3 - Fall 2017 | Rochester Athletics | University of Rochester

ROCHESTER ATHLETICS

A Message from the Director of Athletics—
George VanderZwaag

This is my favorite time of the year—
when the seasons change and we
welcome new and returning students.
They come with a palpable sense of
optimism and excitement. There is so
much to be excited about, too, from
the camaraderie that happens among
team members, to the intensity of
competition, to the appreciation for
new facilities.
These facilities include additions to
the spectacular Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex. Part of the new
Genesee Hall, the Boehning Varsity House comprises two oors
for varsity athletics. Thanks to Christopher Boehning ’87, ’88
(MS) and his wife, Julie, this space contains a sports medicine
suite, team equipment rooms, and locker rooms for outdoor
sports. When students enter Genesee Hall from the stadium
side, they walk through an area we refer to as the Big R Atrium,
in recognition of a gift from Stephen Biggar ’92 and Liz Asaro
Biggar ’92, two great supporters of our program.
We have been working toward upgrading Fauver Stadium and
all of our eld space since the 2000 renovation of Hajim Alumni
Gym, Louis Alexander Palestra, and the Field House in the
Goergen Athletic Center project. We still have work to do and
remain on schedule to complete the Prince Athletic Complex by
the fall of 2018. Over the next year, we will nish the perimeter
of the complex and will fully renovate the ground oor of
Fauver Stadium to better meet the needs of our visiting teams
and o cials. This will continue to be critical program space and
allow for us to adequately meet our game-day needs.
All of these investments in our indoor and outdoor space
allow us to match the quality standards of our outstanding
educational institution, which in turn helps us attract the very
best students from around the world.
We owe our gratitude to the Prince, Boehning, and Biggar
families for their leadership and dedication to Rochester
Athletics. We also deeply value all our Friends of Rochester
Athletics. Your support helps sustain what we do here on a daily
basis—it’s the lifeblood of our programs. As “the rising tide lifts
all boats,” the improvements in Athletics have bene ted the
whole campus community.
We encourage you to come see these improvements yourself
during Meliora Weekend, October 12–15. During our
celebration, we will dedicate and o er tours of Genesee Hall
and the new Boehning Varsity House. We’ll also hold our annual
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and host alumni games and
an all-varsity tailgate. I hope to see you there! Meliora! 3