RIT caps athletics overhaul with debut of Judson Stadium

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Rochester Institute of Technology will hold a dedication ceremony for the new Judson Stadium prior to the men’s lacrosse game Saturday, delivering a game-changing home for lacrosse and soccer as its five-year athletics transformation crosses the finish line. 

Judson Stadium, the new home for RIT’s men’s and women’s lacrosse and soccer programs which officially opened with lacrosse season in February, anchors an upgraded athletics corridor that has taken shape in phases since 2021, when the university began reimagining how athletics facilities welcome students, alumni and visitors arriving on campus. 

The stadium’s new name honors a transformative gift from Thomas Fearey Judson Jr.; his wife, Ebets; their son, Rufus, and their company, Pike Construction Services.  

The family’s connection to RIT spans generations. When Tom Judson joined the Board of Trustees in 1984, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, John D. Pike, who joined in 1930, and his father, Thomas F. Judson Sr., who joined in 1961. Today, Rufus Judson continues the family legacy as CEO of Pike, marking the fourth generation of leadership, philanthropy and impact on the RIT community and campus. 

“Judson Stadium is more than a venue — it’s the culmination of a vision,” said RIT President Bill Sanders. “Over several years, RIT has invested with intention in facilities that support excellence, build community and reflect who we are as a university. This stadium brings all of that together in one place — right at the front door of campus.”  

The transformation of RIT’s athletics complex began in 2021 with the relocation and reconstruction of the outdoor track facility and upgrades to Tiger baseball and softball fields, including the installation of all‑weather artificial turf. 

Momentum continued in April 2024, when RIT broke ground on what was then known as Tiger Stadium, a $30 million project designed to complete the multi‑phase athletics overhaul.  

The 38,828‑square‑foot Judson Stadium features seating for 1,180 spectators, with additional hospitality and standing room spaces. Amenities include dedicated locker rooms for lacrosse and soccer teams, a state‑of‑the‑art training room, media suite, concession areas and a partially covered outdoor concourse that overlooks the field.  

Designed by LaBella Associates with support from Populous, and constructed by Pike Construction Services, the stadium was deliberately positioned to serve as a prominent gateway feature near RIT’s main entrance off Jefferson Road, project leaders said. 

“LaBella is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with RIT through the design of Judson Stadium and its field sports enhancements, which reflect an investment not just in athletics but in the overall campus experience,” said Jerry DeRomanis, vice president and Higher Education Studio manager at LaBella Associates. “Over the past five years, these improvements have transformed track and field, baseball and softball, soccer, and lacrosse into a premier athletic corridor, with Judson Stadium as its centerpiece.” 

The new stadium has also caught the attention of the NCAA. Judson Stadium will be the site of the 2026 NCAA Division II and III women’s lacrosse semifinals and national championship games this coming Memorial Day Weekend. 

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