FSSJ Fields & Future Track and Field Complex

“IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.”

New FSSJ Fields and Future Track & Field Complex

When the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph first donated the land that would become Hilbert College, a special brand of teamwork was planted on Hilbert’s grounds . Now the FSSJ’s most recent act over many years of generosity will make it possible for our student athletes to better grow in teamwork and sportsmanship .

On Friday, November 20, 2020, two state-of-the-art baseball and softball diamonds built on new land donated by the Franciscan Sisters of St . Joseph were named the FSSJ Field Complex . The land had been part of the adjacent former Immaculata Academy high school campus, and the redevelopment terms allow for Hilbert College to have exclusive use in perpetuity .

During the virtual ceremony, FSSJ General Minister and College Trustee Sister Marcia Ann Fiutko ‘73, spoke of Franciscan values in a way that echoes the sportsmanship of collegiate athletics, saying, By then, the windscreens, dugouts, netting, and batting cages will be complete . These features are expected to create a recruiting advantage for the Hawks baseball and softball teams .

Head Softball Coach John Hall has already seen the excitement of present and future Hawks . “We didn’t even want to show the old facility to our recruits, now it is the first thing I tell them about,” he said. “Having these new home fields instills pride in our athletes, especially when visiting teams come to play . Again, a big thank you to the FSSJ . We are very appreciative of their generosity . ”

Additionally, the FSSJ Fields will allow Hilbert College to welcome area leagues to the fields and share the vibrancy of the campus with the wider community .

The FSSJ Fields marks the beginning of a new era for Hilbert Athletics . Not long after the naming of the FSSJ

“May these new grounds be a place where, surrounded by the gifts of God’s creation, all are refreshed and enjoy great camaraderie, and renewal of the human spirit… May all who step foot here come to recognize like St. Francis of Assisi did, that we share a common home, Mother Earth, and a common brotherhood and sisterhood with every person. May that recognition lead us in our life choices to seek out the common good for all, leaving no one behind.”

“Naming the fields after [the FSSJ] sends back a little of their loyalty and dedication along with our love, joy, and gratitude,” said Laurie Boreanaz Carra ’81, Chair of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees .

Hilbert Director of Athletics Megan Valentine spoke of the student athletes’ deep gratitude as well as the valuable broader impacts of the new fields. The drainage issues of the old fields will be a distant memory this spring, when the FSSJ Fields will be formally dedicated . Fields, the Board of Trustees approved the selection of the engineering and design firm that will oversee Phase 1 of planning the Hilbert College Track & Field Complex, as part of the Hilbert 2025 strategic plan . Fundraising for this phase has begun and the project has an overall planned completion projected for Fall 2023.

These are exciting upgrades that will support Hilbert Athletics, and Sister Marcia Ann said it best during her remarks at the field-naming: “Go Hawks! We are so very proud of you!”