The College of William and Mary’s lacrosse and soccer teams will have a new stadium this spring, thanks to a gift from the parents of a former lacrosse player. The Martin Family Stadium will accompany Albert-Daly Field, and feature a 1,000-seat pavilion with a new press box, filming positions and restroom facilities.
“The great generosity of the Martin family is going to make a serious difference for the better in William and Mary’s athletic program,” College President Taylor Reveley said in a press release. “Our lacrosse and soccer teams will finally have a facility commensurate with their own excellence. We are very grateful.”
Home to the men’s and women’s soccer teams and women’s lacrosse team, Albert-Daly Field currently consists of a metal grandstand. Capacity will not be significantly upgraded from the current ability to host 1,000 spectators, and the project is expected to begin this summer. Construction will continue throughout the soccer season in the fall, with an anticipated completion date in the spring of 2011.
Athletics Department spokesman Pete Clawson lauded the improvements.
“It’s obvious that this structure will provide a significant upgrade for our student athletes,” Clawson said. “It’s going to provide a better atmosphere to highlight those sports.”
Eff and Patty Martin have been associated with the Tribe lacrosse program since their daughter Julia ’09 came to the College in 2004. Julia Martin was a four-year standout on the lacrosse team, scoring 26 goals over her career while co-captaining the 2009 squad that set a program record for Colonial Athletic Association wins.
“We quickly fell in love with William & Mary, its traditions, academic opportunities and the people,” Eff Martin said in a press release. “Patty and I have had a great experience at William and Mary, one of the best experiences of ours and Julia’s lives.”
Julia Martin is now an assistant media relations director for the Athletics Department.
The stadium project is the first phase of a planned three-phase development of Albert-Daly Field. Details and a timeframe for phases two and three have not been released.