×

Cafaro Family Field dedicated

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University has a new venue for student recreation, thanks to another large financial contribution from the Cafaro family.

The Cafaro family donated $1.5 million to the YSU “We See Tomorrow” campaign to fund the construction of the new Cafaro Family Field intramural complex on the north side of campus. University, community and family leaders cut the ribbon Saturday during a ceremony opening the facility.

The field along Elm Street will be used for a variety of student recreational activities, including soccer and lacrosse.

Over the past 23 years, the Cafaros have made gifts to YSU totaling more than $5 million, including $1 million for the Watson and Tressel Training Site; $1 million to name the Cafaro House residence hall; $250,000 for the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center; $100,000 to establish the Joseph and Betty Nohra Scholarship in nursing and business; annual support for the William and Alyce and the John Cafaro scholarships; and gifts to help fund the Rich Center for Autism and various other scholarships.

The facility also will include restrooms, seating and fencing, and is expected to be lighted.

The field will be located adjacent to the Cafaro House residence hall and is expected to help serve the university’s growing student population. The fields allow YSU to offer more intramural sports, special event opportunities and club sport competitions, including club sports such as men and women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and ultimate Frisbee.

The Cafaro Foundation is a charitable entity established in memory of William M. Cafaro and his wife, Alyce, by their children, Anthony M. Cafaro, John J. Cafaro and Flora M. Cafaro. For more than a half century, William, Alyce and brother John A. Cafaro supported churches, schools, hospitals and other charitable causes.

The Cafaro Company, which is headquartered in Niles, is one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate development firms, having developed more than 30 million square feet of property in 14 states.

This gift is part of the $100 million “We See Tomorrow” fundraising campaign, the largest in YSU history. The campaign is spearheaded by the YSU Foundation, the official fundraising arm of YSU.

Meanwhile, the new YSU indoor tennis facility is taking form on the west side of campus, along Belmont Avenue between Grant and West Scott streets. The facility, which will house six tennis courts and be home to the YSU men’s and women’s tennis teams, is scheduled to be finished by the end of this calendar year.

news@tribtoday

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today