Bourke Field, the home of Rockhurst University's men's and women's soccer and men's and women's lacrosse teams, is beginning an exciting new chapter in its history.

At the conclusion of this spring's season, Bourke Field will be closed as it undergoes major renovations in preparation for the fall season. The key features of the renovation are a new turf field and new LED stadium lights. These upgrades are part of an ongoing effort by Director of Athletics Kristy Bayer and her staff to identify opportunities to enhance on-campus athletic facilities and the experience of the university's more than 550 student-athletes.

"Since I have been at Rockhurst, it has been my goal to continue to identify critical needs so that all of our athletic facilities can best serve our student-athletes and the university. These necessary upgrades will not only ensure that Bourke Field continues to be a great home for our soccer and lacrosse programs but will also allow it to fulfill its many needs for the university," said Bayer.

In addition to being the home field for the soccer and lacrosse programs, Bourke Field serves as additional practice space for the baseball and softball programs, as well as for team strength and conditioning sessions. Outside of athletics, the field serves all students by providing a space for intramurals, recreation, and campus events. The field also generates revenue for the university by hosting youth and club clinics and competitions.

These projects are being made possible thanks to the generosity of alumni, families, and organizations who have contributed and pledged over $575,000 toward the project to date.

"Words cannot express how grateful I am to our donors who have partnered in this effort over the past year. We are blessed with incredible alumni and families who want the best for our student-athletes and university," said Bayer.

In conjunction with Celebrate RU on April 23, a small group of donors representing men's soccer has stepped forward with a $60,000 Celebrate RU leadership gift and encourages others to consider contributing toward the remaining $175,000 needed to reach the goal!

The upgrades to Bourke Field are just the latest of many that have been accomplished in the past several years thanks to the support of donors. Last year, new stadium and grandstand seating was added to the softball field at Loyola Park, and in 2022, new seating was added in Mason-Halpin Fieldhouse.

"While I am happy that we are able to take on this project this summer, I want to emphasize that this is in no way a finish line for us but merely a step in the right direction toward addressing needs within all of our facilities. We have great student-athletes and coaches in all of our sports, and it remains our goal to provide all of them with a championship-level experience," said Bayer.

More information about the project and instructions on how to make a gift is now available at www.rockhursthawks.com/BourkeField25.

ABOUT BOURKE FIELD
Dedicated in 1927, Bourke Field originally served as the home for the Rockhurst College football team through its final season in 1949. The field was named in honor of Lt. Wilfrid Corrigan Bourke, a Kansas City native killed in an airplane accident on October 14, 1918. The facility has been the home of the intercollegiate men's soccer program since their inception in 1964, women's soccer in 1990, and men's and women's lacrosse in 2014.

LEARN MORE
Please contact Brent Blazek, Sr. Associate Athletic Director, at brent.blazek@rockhurst.edu.