Appleton Arena Phase I and Phase II Projects
Here We Go Saints!
The Appleton Arena George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center will include locker rooms and facilities for the men's and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, softball, and men's and women’s rowing teams. It will also include an expansion of the Michael “Buddy” Cornacchia ’74 Strength and Conditioning Center to prepare Division III student-athletes for competition. Supporting this exciting, new chapter of Appleton Arena will ensure a successful experience for generations of future Saints.
The Campaign for Every Laurentian saw the revitalization of historic Appleton Arena, the home of the Division I Skating Saints, in February of 2020 thanks to a lead gift from Tom Dolan ’74 and the Dolan Family Foundation. Now, a generous gift from George W. Karpus ’68 has sparked an expansion of Appleton, set to provide enriched experiences for Division III student-athletes.
Appleton Naming Opportunities
To help fund the Appleton construction and renovation, we have identified several naming opportunities. Donors to the project will be recognized for their generous support with a named space in the building. These places will be visited frequently by Laurentians and other Saints fans for generations to come.
1) Karpus ’68 Athletic Center
New construction will house facilities (from indoor training to locker rooms) for lacrosse, rowing, softball, and field hockey teams. This space also houses a coaches’ strategy room, players’ lounge, video/media center, rowing space, erg space, training and treatment center—with hydro baths and trainer’s office, an equipment and laundry room, and auxiliary locker rooms and wet rooms.
2) Saints Hockey Complex
The heart of the renovation, this large area includes men’s and women’s Division-I hockey locker rooms, coaching offices, the training center, media center and more.
Spaces Already Named:
3) Coaches Strategy Room - A space dedicated to coaches, where they can plan, evaluate players, anticipate plays, and address their squads’ needs - Named in memory of Dotty Hall P'26, Professor Emerita
4) Players' Lounge - A quiet space where our Division III student athletes can study, eat, and talk with a coach or teammate - Named by Rodd and Joan Riesenberger P’24, '26
7) Video/Media Room - A multi-purpose room, this space gives student athletes and coaches a place to review game videos, and to meet and talk with each other, SLU and League officials, and the media. The flexible layout of this room and its furniture makes it ideal for athletes’ pre- or post-game meals and accommodating press conferences - Named by Mark ’77 and Martha ’80 McGinn
8) Athletic Training and Treatment Center - This space houses a trainer’s office, the equipment, tables and other tools that help student athletes recuperate and perform at peak levels - Named by the Haehl Family
Spaces Available to be Named:
1) Women’s Lacrosse Team Room - Locker rooms and team spaces for women’s lacrosse student athletes - $500,000
2) Field Hockey Team Room - Locker rooms and team spaces for field hockey student athletes - $250,000
5) Softball Team Room - Locker rooms and team spaces for student athletes on the St. Lawrence softball team - $250,000
6) Men’s Lacrosse Team Room - Locker rooms and team spaces for men’s lacrosse student athletes - $500,000
9) Rowing Complex - The all-new home for the Saints rowing program, this space includes the 16-station rowing tanks as well as erg machines and other tools for training on campus - $500,000
View renderings of these spaces.
For more information about supporting this project or any of these naming opportunities, please email universityadvancement@stlawu.edu or call 888-758-4438.
Spaces Already Named:
1) Michael “Buddy” Cornacchia ’74 Strength and Conditioning Center - Named by Thomas C. Dolan ’74, Dolan Family Foundation
2) The Torrey Rink - Named by an anonymous donor to recognize 100 years of engagement with the University by members of the Torrey Family.
3) Dolan Family Lobby - Named by the University in honor of The Dolan Family
4) Men’s Hockey Team Suite - Named in honor of Joe Marsh
5) The Stradling Multi-Media Room - Named by Richard F. Jr. ’64 and Gail Stradling
7) Haehl Athletic Training and Treatment Center - Men’s & Women’s Hockey
Spaces Available to be Named:
6) Women’s Hockey Team Suite - $1,000,000
8) Players’ Lounge - Inside Men’s Team Suite - $150,000
9) Players’ Lounge - Inside Women’s Team Suite - $150,000
For more information about supporting this project or any of these naming opportunities, please email universityadvancement@stlawu.edu or call 888-758-4438.
Spaces Already Named:
1) Legends of Appleton Room - Named by the Torrey and MacAllaster families
2) William E. Carter '56 Club - Just steps from the seats in the President’s Section on the concourse level, this multi-purpose/conference room hosts Presidential and other University events. - Named by William E. Carter ’56
3) Hockey Alumni Lounge - Named by Eric ’78 and Lori Ankerud
Spaces Available to be Named:
4) Production Studio - Production technicians use this state-of-the-art control room to remotely operate the Arena’s lights, sounds, video, cameras, and other equipment to enhance the experience of watching Saints Hockey, in Appleton and around the world. - $250,000
5) Broadcast Booth - On the Red Line, perched on the Concourse level, this space has the view and technology to broadcast play-by-play content of Appleton games, via television, radio, and the internet. - $250,000
6) East Club – Facing Hall-Leet Stadium and Leckonby Stadium, this multi-purpose/conference room hosts Laurentian events and offers great views of St. Lawrence athletic fields. - $250,000
For more information about supporting this project or any of these naming opportunities, please email universityadvancement@stlawu.edu or call 888-758-4438.
Construction is Underway!
Construction is underway on the Appleton Arena George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center.
Appleton Arena George W. Karpus '68 Athletic Center Groundbreaking
On Saturday, June 3, 2023, President Kathryn A. Morris and members of the Laurentian Community broke ground on the future site of the Appleton Arena George W. Karpus '68 Athletic Center! Thanks to the generosity of George W. Karpus ’68 and several other generous supporters, Appleton Phase II has now begun construction. Watch the video from the Groundbreaking, featuring George W. Karpus '68.
St. Lawrence to Move Forward with New Division III Athletic Facility
Four donors have stepped forward to raise the necessary funds to enable St. Lawrence University to move forward with plans to build the Appleton Arena George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center, which will be completed as phase two of the Appleton Arena project.
Athletics Atrium Named in Honor of George W. Karpus ’68
George W. Karpus ’68 was honored during Laurentian Weekend 2022 for his prolific contributions to St. Lawrence University and its Division III athletics program. As alumni, parents, and others came back to enjoy the weekend celebrations, nearly 200 Laurentians gathered for the naming of the George W. Karpus ’68 Atrium.
Appleton Phase II Video
Learn more about the Appleton Arena George W. Karpus ’68 Athletic Center.
St. Lawrence Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Title IX
What started as a challenge to equity issues and sex discrimination in education resulted in the Education Amendments Act, signed on June 23, 1972 by then President Richard Nixon.
St. Lawrence Receives $5 Million Gift to Support Division III Athletics Program
St. Lawrence University has received a $5 million lead gift from George W. Karpus ’68 towards the second phase of the Appleton Arena renovation and expansion project. The gift will support an expansion of the Michael “Buddy” Cornacchia ’74 Strength and Conditioning Center for all of the Saints’ NCAA Division III student-athletes, as well as locker room and team facilities for the men's and women’s lacrosse, field hockey, softball, and the men's and women’s rowing teams.
Legends of Appleton Video
The Legends of Appleton inductees Gina Kingsbury ’04 and Peter McGeough '88 were honored during the Men’s Hockey vs. Clarkson University on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020.
Appleton Arena Celebration & Dedication Weekend Photos
As part of The Campaign for Every Laurentian, guests returned to campus for the dedication of Appleton Arena and the 2019-20 Legends of Appleton on Feb. 7 – 8, 2020.
Saying Thanks: Celebrating Philanthropy at Appleton Arena
Get a Closer Look at the Appleton Arena Phase I Renovation
For more information on naming opportunities and supporting the Appleton Arena Phase I & II projects, please contact Andy Whittier ’91, principal gifts officer and director of Athletic Development, at awhittier@stlawu.edu or 315-229-5511.