COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - A new athletic field at Saint John's University will be named after legendary Hall of Fame football coach John Gagliardi. The multi-purpose sports facility, which will feature an artificial turf field and a seasonal dome, will serve as the football practice field, as well as for other varsity, intramural, recreational and club sports.

Gagliardi Field will be adjacent to SJU's soccer venue, Haws Field, and is made possible thanks to generous donations from Saint John's alumni and friends, including a $1.5 million gift from a former Johnnie football player who wishes to remain anonymous. In making this donation, the benefactor stated: "If anyone asks, tell them that it's from a player who was inspired by him at a very young age."

"I am humbled and grateful that some of my players and friends have chosen to honor me in this manner," Gagliardi said. "This new field and dome will be like an eternal spring."

"We are very pleased that this athletic field will be named after our dad," offensive coordinator Jim Gagliardi said. "Our family was raised on campus and consider ourselves part of the Saint John's community. As kids, we would stand by our dad's side on the practice field and watch how he taught, coached, and helped mold thousands of young football players who would go on to become exceptional alumni and the pride of Saint John's.  

"There is no place more fitting to honor what my dad accomplished as a family man, coach and friend than this field where he changed the game of football. We will take great pride showing this facility to our kids and the generations of family to come."

College football's all-time wins leader, John Gagliardi coached football at Saint John's for 60 seasons from 1953 to 2012. During that span, he won a record 489 games and his teams won four national titles: the NAIA Championship in 1963 and 1965, and the NCAA Division III Championship in 1976 and 2003.  

"I'm delighted that our long-time football practice field – a place where I spent most of my coaching career – is being converted into an athletic and recreational facility that all students can use and enjoy," John Gagliardi added. 

Construction on Gagliardi Field is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2016. 

"We have raised sufficient funds to build Gagliardi Field and we anticipate board approval of the project this fall," Rob Culligan, vice president for Institutional Advancement, said. "Now, our focus is on raising the remaining funds in support of the seasonal dome."   

"This facility will be a significant advantage to the football program when it comes to practicing in inclement weather, as well as our ability to recruit student-athletes and show them something they can't get anywhere else," athletic director Tom Stock said. "It will also be a tremendous benefit to all of our student-athletes and students for practices and recreation throughout the year." 


(June 15) St. Cloud Times' "SJU to name new sports facility after Gagliardi" - Story