SJC Unveils New Sports Complex

The sun was shining brightly and the temperatures made it a beautiful spring day - it was the perfect backdrop for the official grand opening of 's new athletic complex.

The complex, , is located on a 24.8-acre property purchased in 2008 on Sunrise Highway's South Service Road, near Hospital Road.

The green grass of the new athletic complex - which houses a new lacrosse/soccer stadium as well as a baseball and softball field and tennis courts - was unveiled in front of a group of local politicians and community members who made it possible.

“I wanted to say a lot of thank yous,” Sister Elizabeth A. Hill said as she addressed the crowd. “There are so many people who have contributed to make today possible.”

Among those honored and thanked were Deborah and John A. Danzi and Priscilla S. Knapp Teich, who made financial contributions to the facilities. Danzi’s name already adorns the athletic building on campus.

“We were at the construction site months ago and were walking around trying to visualize where everything was going to be,“ Deborah Danzi said. “But I must say, coming back and seeing it is far greater than I ever could have imagined.”

Danzi went on to speak of the advantages this sports complex will bring to St. Joseph’s and about how her family learned the importance of intercollegiate athletics through their sons.

“With the additions of this sports complex many current students may be encouraged to participate in athletics that never did before and it may pique the interest of future students,” she said.

Also among the speakers was Patchogue Mayor Paul Ponteiri, Representative Tim Bishop and St. Joseph’s athletic director Don Lizak.

After the politicians and administrators said their part Kimbery Essig - the Vice President of the Student Government Association and captain of the St. Joseph’s women’s soccer team and lacrosse team.

“Looking back on the days when we would jump around from field to field just to play a home game to having our own field is an amazing opportunity,” Essig said about her time at St. Joseph‘s.

Now with facilities that can compete with any other in Division III, St. Joseph’s is ready to compete among the nations elite.

“Today we will look forward to a time when our teams will be able to welcome their peers and competitors to one of the most beautiful - in fact I think the most beautiful - athletic complex on Long Island,” Hill said.