HAMILTON – The Colgate community came together Saturday morning at The Class of 1965 Arena Dedication to celebrate the culmination of a $37.8 million dollar project that has been years in the making.
The state-of-the-art facility is the new home of the Colgate men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. The Raider men’s and women’s lacrosse and soccer teams also have brand new locker rooms inside The Class of 1965 Arena.24132
The ice surface in Colgate’s Class of 1965 Arena will be known as Steven J. Riggs ’65 Rink in honor of the former men’s ice hockey team captain. Riggs was killed in combat in Vietnam in 1968 and was inducted posthumously into the Colgate Athletics Hall of Honor.
Saturday’s dedication and celebration of the 2,222 capacity arena featured words of appreciation and gratitude from newly-inaugurated Colgate President Brian Casey, Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Vicky Chun, Board of Trustees member Bill Johnston ’73, Head Men’s Hockey Coach Don Vaughan and women’s hockey junior Annika Zalewski. An official ribbon-cutting capped off the celebration.
DEDICATION SOUND BITES
Director of Athletics Vicky Chun
“To Colgate family and friends, welcome to your home. We’d like to express our deep appreciation to the board and administration, especially those who advocated for this project over the last two decades. We’d like to thank the 559 donors who contributed so generously to make this project a reality.”
University President Brian Casey
“This can only be described as a game-changing facility, not only for the men’s and women’s hockey programs, but also for our soccer and lacrosse programs. This is a remarkable day in the history of Colgate and Raider athletics.”
“Every gift made this facility possible, and that enormous generosity made this arena a reality today. Your support for this arena not only makes this facility possible, but also highlights a distinctive feature of this university. Division I athletics is a defining feature of this university, and part of what makes this place so special.”
“Our student-athletes take the skills they’re learning on the ice, in the pool, or in the field and carry the lessons with them for the rest of their lives. This is as much of a classroom as anything you see on the hill. Colgate student-athletes are scholar-athletes. Our athletic graduation rate of 98% is one of the highest in the nation. We want everyone to know that we are invested in our students, and that’s what we’re doing today.”
“This beautiful arena with the ice, locker rooms, coaching offices and its other incredible amenities will positively impact our current and future student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, supporters and the entire Colgate and Hamilton community. This is an incredible day.”
Bill Johnston ’73
“There are many individuals that deserve our thanks for making this happen. Vicky, Ann-Marie, and all of the student-athletes of our men’s and women’s hockey, soccer and lacrosse programs, you’ve waited a very long time for this to happen. That day is finally here. Now its up to all of you to generate memorable moments for all in the Colgate community to share with you.”
24130Head Men’s Hockey Coach Don Vaughan
“On behalf of the coaches, I’d like to take a minute to capture what this means to us and our student-athletes. I believe this new facility empowers all of us. It’s something that all coaches and student-athletes can rally behind, not just the six programs that are in this building, but the broader community as well. It enhances the pride in all of us.”
“As coaches, we are proud to be part of something that speaks to a university that wants to be excellent in everything that we do. What this says to coaches, student-athletes, fans, alumni, recruits, and competitors is that athletics really matter at Colgate. This beautiful Class of 1965 Arena and Steven J. Riggs ’65 Rink will help set a new standard of pride and excellence in everything that we do. It will inspire all of us to work harder everyday and bring home more championships, which is what we aspire to do everyday. This is a huge step towards making that happen on a more regular basis.”
Women’s Hockey Junior Annika Zalewski
“I can’t possible express adequate appreciation to everyone who made this possible, but I think that speaks volumes about the time, effort and passion that went into this project. Bringing this vision to life required the collaboration of hundreds of people over the span of several years. Today’s events are a celebration of that.”
“This place is incredible from floor to ceiling. The attention to detail makes evident just how much thought went into the design of this arena, which is the perfect venue and atmosphere for hockey. There wasn’t a single shortcut taken and that expresses how much support the university has given us as student-athletes.”
CLASS OF 1965 ARENA KEY FIGURES
Arena Capacity 2,222
Cubic Yards of Concrete 3,600
Tons of Steel 1,000
Tons of Bluestone 285
Miles of Refrigerant Tubing in Rink Slab 11
Audio Speakers in Building 201
High-Output Efficient Light Fixtures 158
Exterior Concrete Panels 1,748
