Conn receives $1.6m to upgrade facilities

New London - Connecticut College announced Monday that it will add lights to Silfen Field and upgrade its locker room and training facilities after receiving a $1.6 million donation to the athletic department.

President Leo I. Higdon Jr., in a statement released by the college, said the recent donation was made by Karen and Rob Hale (Class of 1988) and two anonymous donors.

"The improvements will benefit many students where athletics, physical fitness and co-curricular programming are integrated with rigorous academics," Higdon said.

The project, which is expected to be completed this summer, will enlarge and renovate the men's lacrosse and soccer locker rooms. It will also reconfigure and upgrade the training room, as well as locker areas for field hockey, women's lacrosse and soccer, men's and women's basketball, squash, track and field, women's volleyball and coed and women's swimming.

The addition of lights to Silfen Field, an all-purpose turf field, will allow more varsity teams, club sports and other groups opportunities to utilize the facility night games, practices and events.

"We are extremely fortunate to have dedicated parents and alumni who understand the vital role athletics and overall fitness play in this education," athletic director Fran Shields said.