College honors former lacrosse player, anonymous donors at athletic center dedication

In addition to having the lacrosse locker rooms named in their honor, Karen and Rob Hale '88 (center) received a varsity lacrosse jersey from Fran Shields (left), the Katherine Wenk Christoffers ’45 Director of Athletics, and Dave Cornell, head coach of the men's lacrosse team.
In addition to having the lacrosse locker rooms named in their honor, Karen and Rob Hale '88 (center) received a varsity lacrosse jersey from Fran Shields (left), the Katherine Wenk Christoffers ’45 Director of Athletics, and Dave Cornell, head coach of the men's lacrosse team.

Over the last several years, the College has undergone a transformation with major upgrades to academic buildings, residence halls and campus grounds. Some of the most dramatic changes, however, have occurred within the College’s athletic facilities.

Earlier this month, members of the College community gathered to honor a group of donors that made these upgrades possible at a formal dedication of the athletic center renovations in the Charles B. Luce Field House.

“These athletic facilities are an important part of attracting outstanding student athletes,” said President Katherine Bergeron at the ceremony. “They are visible signs of the College’s commitment to our athletes and athletic programs, and have made us more competitive with our NESCAC peers.”

Karen and Rob Hale ’88 and two anonymous donors pledged $1.6 million in 2012 to the College for the sweeping renovations, which include six expanded locker rooms for 20 varsity teams; new lighting and flooring, flat-screen televisions for viewing game film and teaching spaces within the locker rooms; a renovated Hall of Fame room with viewing screens for team meetings; energy-efficient lighting on Silfen Field; and a revamped training area with state-of-the-art therapy equipment, something few Division III schools are able to offer.

In honor of their generosity, the College named the newly-renovated lacrosse locker room “The Hale Family Locker Room” — Rob Hale played on the men’s lacrosse team at the College — and installed a plaque on the walkway to Silfen Field acknowledging the Hale family and the two anonymous donors for their support of the renovations.

The Hale family was also presented with a varsity lacrosse jersey, adorned with the number 1. “You wore No. 5 out on the field, but you’ll always be No. 1 in our hearts,” said Fran Shields, the Katherine Wenk Christoffers ’45 Director of Athletics.

“I’m delighted to give back to [the lacrosse] program and this College that meant so much to me,” said Rob Hale at the ceremony.

The entire men’s lacrosse team attended the ceremony, led by Steve Sousa ’15, who shares a close relationship with Rob Hale through the Hale Family Scholarship he received when he attended Deerfield Academy.

“I’ve learned countless lessons from Mr. Hale, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is to give back. Giving back makes a difference,” said Sousa. “Mr. Hale gives back every day — not just financially, but with his time and commitment to his family, his employees, and his community.”



April 25, 2014