HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College announced that a new baseball field and a new softball field will be named the FSSJ Field Complex, in recognition of the College’s founding congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph (FSSJ).  The FSSJ Field Complex, which is slated to be completed for the Spring 2021 season, recognizes the generosity of the sisters, whose sale of the property adjacent to Hilbert’s campus specified that the fields would be made available for Hilbert’s exclusive use.

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“This generous donation of new baseball and softball fields is just the latest example of a string of unyielding support that the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph has shown Hilbert over the years,” said Laurie Boreanaz Carra ’81, Chair of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees.  “It is with their prayers, actions, and commitment that they have certainly sown the Franciscan values into the fabric of our Hilbert community.”

“The entire Hilbert community extends our deepest gratitude to the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph,” Hilbert President Dr. Michael Brophy said.  “We are so grateful that the sisters thought of us and thought of our needs in a very Franciscan way.  We will make you proud.  We are truly blessed by your faith and generosity, and we know you will continue to watch over all of us at Hilbert College.”

“As you can see in the announcement video, these new fields mean the world to our student athletes,” Hilbert Director of Athletics Megan Valentine said.  “The sisters have helped to ensure the Hilbert Hawks will create meaningful memories at the FSSJ Field Complex.  On behalf of our student athletes and coaches, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Hilbert plans to formally open and dedicate the new FSSJ Field Complex during the Spring 2021 semester.

Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With over 800 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs in criminal justice administration and public administration, including a track in health administration.