The archway is lowered on to the new video board at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
Historic Pledge to Include Support for Enhancements to Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
8/9/2021 1:00:00 PM | Football, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Bison Club
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell University president John C. Bravman earlier today announced a pledge of more than $40 million from Michael Pascucci '58. The largest single pledge in Bucknell history will include $30 million in unrestricted financial aid endowment for the University, along with $10 million more directed toward enhancements in and around Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
In recognition of Pascucci's historic commitment to both financial aid and athletics, the area of campus that includes the stadium and the Christy Mathewson Gates will be named the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex. The complex's name will be displayed on a new video board at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, construction of which is also supported by more than $1 million in giving by additional donors. The new board will be operational this fall.
Additional Athletics enhancements funded by the pledge are anticipated to open in 2023, and they include the new Michael C. Pascucci Team Center and an artificial turf practice field, offering additional training and practice space for several men's and women's teams. The improvements will be 100 percent donor funded, including an endowment to offset operations. They will also have a ripple effect that will benefit all of Bucknell's 27 Division I athletics teams by freeing up locker room, training and rehabilitation space in the Kenneth Langone Athletics & Recreation Center and elsewhere on campus. The practice field will also be available for recreational use, spreading the impact on student life even further.
"The extraordinary generosity of Michael Pascucci will have a permanent impact on our University's most imperative calling — ensuring that the power and opportunity of a Bucknell education is accessible," John C. Bravman, Bucknell University president, said in recognition of the pledge. "Many future generations of Bucknellians to come will owe a deep gratitude and appreciation for the generosity of Michael, his family and the Pascucci Family Foundation. On their behalf, we extend a heartfelt thank-you."
"Enhancements like the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex enable Bucknell to excel as a highly competitive NCAA Division I school with one of the broadest men's and women's athletics programs in all of college sports," said Jermaine Truax, director of athletics & recreation. "Michael Pascucci's commitments to both financial aid and athletics will help Bucknell fulfill our mission of helping our student-athletes reach their fullest potential, on and off the field."
The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell's numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell. Mathewson is best known as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, and he was one of five original inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Today, Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium is the home to the Bucknell football, men's lacrosse and men's and women's track and field teams. The brand new, state-of-the-art video board will greatly heighten the fan experience at all of these team's home events. The 25' x 50' high-definition display will allow for enhanced in-game entertainment, replays, sponsorship opportunities, and eight-lane timing for track and field meets.
The Pascucci Team Center will be equipped with a new strength and conditioning center, men's lacrosse locker room, and team meeting and event space. Outside the north gates of the stadium and adjacent to the Team Center will be the site for the new all-weather artificial turf practice field, which will provide even greater training opportunities for a variety of programs beyond the ones that call the stadium home.
"I can't thank Mr. Pascucci enough for his incredible pledge, which will have a profound impact on Bucknell University and the Bison football program for generations to come," said Dave Cecchini, the Bob Odell Head Coach of Bucknell Football. "The new video board looks magnificent perched in the south end of the stadium. Not only will it be a great addition for our fans, but our current players are going to realize a whole new level of excitement when they take the field on Saturdays in that enhanced atmosphere. The new team support facility will also be a game-changer for our program, as it will allow us to relocate our cramped weight room and meeting rooms into a beautiful new space."
"Mr. Pascucci's landmark gift is going to have an immeasurable impact on the current and future student-athletes in the Bucknell men's lacrosse program," said head coach Frank Fedorjaka. "Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium has been a great home field for us since we started playing games there 20 years ago, but now with locker room, weight room and meeting spaces all part of the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex, it will truly feel like a home for our team."
"The Bucknell track and field program hosts a number of high-profile meets every year, and the enhancements to the stadium with the new scoreboard and the Pascucci Team Center will give Bucknell one of the finest track and field facilities in the East," said Kevin Donner, head cross country and track and field coach. "On behalf of the nearly 170 student-athletes in the Bison spiked shoe program, a sincere thank you to Mr. Pascucci for giving back to Bucknell in such a deeply impactful way."
In recognition of Pascucci's historic commitment to both financial aid and athletics, the area of campus that includes the stadium and the Christy Mathewson Gates will be named the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex. The complex's name will be displayed on a new video board at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, construction of which is also supported by more than $1 million in giving by additional donors. The new board will be operational this fall.
Additional Athletics enhancements funded by the pledge are anticipated to open in 2023, and they include the new Michael C. Pascucci Team Center and an artificial turf practice field, offering additional training and practice space for several men's and women's teams. The improvements will be 100 percent donor funded, including an endowment to offset operations. They will also have a ripple effect that will benefit all of Bucknell's 27 Division I athletics teams by freeing up locker room, training and rehabilitation space in the Kenneth Langone Athletics & Recreation Center and elsewhere on campus. The practice field will also be available for recreational use, spreading the impact on student life even further.
"The extraordinary generosity of Michael Pascucci will have a permanent impact on our University's most imperative calling — ensuring that the power and opportunity of a Bucknell education is accessible," John C. Bravman, Bucknell University president, said in recognition of the pledge. "Many future generations of Bucknellians to come will owe a deep gratitude and appreciation for the generosity of Michael, his family and the Pascucci Family Foundation. On their behalf, we extend a heartfelt thank-you."
"Enhancements like the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex enable Bucknell to excel as a highly competitive NCAA Division I school with one of the broadest men's and women's athletics programs in all of college sports," said Jermaine Truax, director of athletics & recreation. "Michael Pascucci's commitments to both financial aid and athletics will help Bucknell fulfill our mission of helping our student-athletes reach their fullest potential, on and off the field."
The picturesque Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 and was known originally as Memorial Stadium as a tribute to Bucknell's numerous war veterans. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 1989, and at that time it was rededicated to honor the iconic Christy Mathewson, who was a three-sport star and model student-athlete during his playing days at Bucknell. Mathewson is best known as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, and he was one of five original inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Today, Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium is the home to the Bucknell football, men's lacrosse and men's and women's track and field teams. The brand new, state-of-the-art video board will greatly heighten the fan experience at all of these team's home events. The 25' x 50' high-definition display will allow for enhanced in-game entertainment, replays, sponsorship opportunities, and eight-lane timing for track and field meets.
The Pascucci Team Center will be equipped with a new strength and conditioning center, men's lacrosse locker room, and team meeting and event space. Outside the north gates of the stadium and adjacent to the Team Center will be the site for the new all-weather artificial turf practice field, which will provide even greater training opportunities for a variety of programs beyond the ones that call the stadium home.
"I can't thank Mr. Pascucci enough for his incredible pledge, which will have a profound impact on Bucknell University and the Bison football program for generations to come," said Dave Cecchini, the Bob Odell Head Coach of Bucknell Football. "The new video board looks magnificent perched in the south end of the stadium. Not only will it be a great addition for our fans, but our current players are going to realize a whole new level of excitement when they take the field on Saturdays in that enhanced atmosphere. The new team support facility will also be a game-changer for our program, as it will allow us to relocate our cramped weight room and meeting rooms into a beautiful new space."
"Mr. Pascucci's landmark gift is going to have an immeasurable impact on the current and future student-athletes in the Bucknell men's lacrosse program," said head coach Frank Fedorjaka. "Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium has been a great home field for us since we started playing games there 20 years ago, but now with locker room, weight room and meeting spaces all part of the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex, it will truly feel like a home for our team."
"The Bucknell track and field program hosts a number of high-profile meets every year, and the enhancements to the stadium with the new scoreboard and the Pascucci Team Center will give Bucknell one of the finest track and field facilities in the East," said Kevin Donner, head cross country and track and field coach. "On behalf of the nearly 170 student-athletes in the Bison spiked shoe program, a sincere thank you to Mr. Pascucci for giving back to Bucknell in such a deeply impactful way."
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