HAMILTON – It's Colgate Day! So enjoy, Raider Nation.

It's also the ideal time to recognize several projects recently completed or nearing completion that are meant to improve competitive opportunities for Colgate student-athletes and improve the viewing experience for Raider fans.
 
"We want every Colgate student-athlete to achieve their highest academic and athletic aspirations, and we are working aggressively, yet thoughtfully, to enhance their experiences and opportunities," Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Nicki Moore said. "Making improvements that will positively impact the fan experience is also an important step in attracting more Colgate students, faculty and staff as well as local and regional community members to our venues.
 
"We want Colgate Athletics venues to be a place where fans can come and see high level Division I Athletics on the field, and experience a unique sense of community in the stands. Tools such as the new videoboard help us tell the amazing stories of our student-athletes, as well as the stories of the sponsors and fans who support them."
 
Andy Kerr Stadium Videoboard
Five times larger. How's that for an upgrade?
 
The new videoboard at Andy Kerr Stadium installed over the summer stands at an impressive 50 feet wide by 30 feet tall, integrating scoreboard, videoboard and advertising technology all in one. Daktronics is the vendor.
 
The old version that stood behind the north end zone was installed in 2006 and featured a video screen measuring just 24 feet by 13 feet. That computes to 312 square feet of video space compared to an even 1,500 square feet in the upgraded version, or nearly five times the difference.
 
Not to mention the HD quality now available for Colgate fans.
 
The installation also includes a filming platform at the top of the scoreboard, eliminating the need for lifts on the field and providing game filmers a more permanent, stable and safe structure.
 
Tying everything together is a new production room inside the Andy Kerr Stadium press box. That room not only operates the videoboard and video streams for football and men's lacrosse, but also serves as the new Patriot League Network production room for events originating on Beyer-Small '76 Field and Tyler's Field.
 


Team Instruction/Recruiting Room
The area formerly known as The Ledge has been transformed into a new team instruction and recruiting room. Located just inside the Reid Athletic Center lobby, the space served as the previous academic center for student-athletes before the 2017 opening of the Chun Academic Center.
 
Carrels were removed and the room was completely renovated with new carpet and paint. A projector, screen and sound system were installed along with new furniture that allows the room to double as a film and instruction area as well as a recruiting lounge.
 
The recruiting area has sofas and chairs where coaches can meet with recruits and visiting parents in a comfortable setting.

  

Tyler's Field Turf Replacement
Tyler's Field turf renovations were completed in the summer, including installation of new turf that increases the roll speed and ball accuracy and helps control the friction under both dry and wet conditions. The strong and flexible fibers of the new surface help with foot grip and water retention, improving the field for less water consumption. In addition to game factors, the turf field has improved shock-absorbing capability for athlete safety.
 
Along with the new playing surface, field upgrades also included a new watering system and updated graphics along each end of the field. The previous field watering was accomplished by a single water cannon over an hour's span, while the new in-ground sprinkler heads water the field in only 10 minutes and return flush into the ground, effectively using less water.
 
"The renovation to Tyler's Field and the addition of a watering system makes our facility one of the premier facilities in the Northeast," Colgate field hockey head coach April Cornell said. "Greenfields Turf provides the optimal playing surface and is internationally recognized for a pitch that is consistent and reliable. Our program is thriving, and this brand new surface and watering system is just another way for recruits, fans, and alumnae to see where the future of Colgate Field Hockey is going."
 
In addition to the replacement of the playing surface, enhanced bench areas for both teams were relocated to the opposite side of the field from the stadium bleachers.

 










Raider Refuel Nutrition Station
Another valuable addition for Colgate student-athletes is a refueling and nutrition station to help fill the gaps in healthy eating between classes, strength work, practice, individual sessions or studying in the academic center.
 
The location will be just off the Reid Athletic Center lobby. The idea for a nutrition station grew from Colgate's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) meetings over the last year and their identification of ways to enhance the student-athlete experience.
 
"We don't want this to simply be a handout," said Steve Chouinard, Associate AD for Health and Performance. "We want students to think about the best snacks to have at a given time.
 
"Are you about to practice? Did you just finish a strength session? There are foods that serve athletes' needs better than others depending on the goal at the time. We are educating them and giving them the ability to make those decisions on their own at other times."
 
ROCC Lounge
Colgate's Raiders of Color Connect group now has an inclusive space in the former Starr Rink to create and experience community.
 
After a complete makeover of the former men's hockey coaches lounge, the space is ready to serve as meeting headquarters for ROCC events, ROCC ambassador meetings and other programming for student-athletes.
 
The idea for the space grew from discussions facilitated by athletics senior staff with members of ROCC that took place over the course of the spring semester.
 
Mental Performance Program
Mental performance is an area of interest for athletics departments across the nation. Colgate Athletics is excited to expand offerings in this area with the creation of the Mental Performance Program. Led by Dr. Bill Moore, the program will focus on developing techniques to use a positive mental approach in helping student-athletes and teams perform at the upper range of their potential more consistently.
 
The program adds a dimension to the athletics department not commonly seen at schools the size of Colgate. Moore is meeting with teams and individuals as well as coaches to help them get the most out of their athletics experience, while teaching skills that transfer from athletics to academic performance.

 

Cotterell Court Lighting
LED lighting has been installed in Cotterell Court to rave reviews. The existing fixtures were removed and replaced with LED lighting similar to that already installed in Sanford Fieldhouse, Starr Rink and the Class of 1965 Arena.
 
The new lighting not only increases the brightness in the space for the benefit of student-athletes and spectators, both in venue and those watching on television or streaming, but it will also have a significant impact on the building's energy consumption and contribute to Colgate's commitment to sustainability. The new lights will save the University nearly $15,000 annually in electricity and maintenance costs.
 
Staff Enhancements
It would be remiss to leave out the significant enhancements made to Colgate's staffing over the summer. Those enhancements include graduating one men's and one women's soccer assistant coaching positions from part-time to full-time; converting a part-time compliance position to full-time; adding a new certified athletic trainer; and adding a marketing and events fellow. A place is only as good as its people, and Colgate has added some great ones.
 
"As we use this momentum into the 2019-20 academic year, we look forward to adding even more committed friends and fans to our focused pursuit of being an inclusive community of competitive excellence," Moore said.
 
These enhancements are all driven by the pursuit of Colgate Athletics' three big Third Century goals:
 

1. Recruit: Attract the most talented coaches and staff, and motivated students and student-athletes who are committed to excel in academics, athletics, and in their career and personal development;
2. Support: Provide the personnel and operational program support necessary to support the optimal development, performance and experience of Colgate student-athletes and students; and,
3. Build: Develop and maintain physical spaces on the Colgate campus that inspire and undergird the pursuit of league championships and national tournament appearances among our varsity student-athletes, and that set the stage for the vigorous pursuit of health, wellness and connection among all our students.