Hilbert College Announces New On-Campus Multipurpose Athletic Field

Hamburg, NY – Hilbert College announced plans to construct a new on-campus multi-purpose artificial turf athletic field, an investment that will provide a space for the College's football, men's and women's soccer, and lacrosse programs. The new facility will also serve as a vibrant hub for student life, intramural recreation, and community engagement.

Located on the college’s current practice field, the new facility will feature a regulation-size turf surface designed to support NCAA competition and year-round activity. By fall 2027, the venue is expected to serve all five field sports, including football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, and women’s lacrosse, while also providing opportunities for other emerging programs.

“This is about more than athletics,” said Michael R. Cornell, Interim President of Hilbert College. “A college campus should be the heartbeat of its community. When our students compete, perform, celebrate, and create memories, those moments should happen here, on our campus, surrounded by the people who believe in them. This field allows us to bring that experience home.”

The multipurpose facility will serve as a vibrant hub for student life beyond intercollegiate athletics, expanding opportunities for intramural sports, on-campus events, student programming, wellness initiatives, and community engagement. For Hilbert’s residential students, the field also means access to a first-rate athletic and recreational space just steps away from where they live.

As the only four-year college located in the Southtowns, Hilbert envisions the field serving as a resource for the broader community. The College is exploring partnerships with local soccer and lacrosse organizations, youth camps, and recreational leagues, creating opportunities for community use and outreach while strengthening Hilbert’s connection to Hamburg and the surrounding region.

“This project will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes and the overall campus experience,” said Tim Seil, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Director of Athletics. “Having the ability to compete on our own campus creates a stronger connection between athletics, student life, and the broader Hilbert community. It creates an environment where our students can represent Hilbert in front of their classmates, families, alumni, and supporters while building traditions that will last for generations.”

Construction on the new athletic facility is scheduled to begin in fall 2026, with completion anticipated in fall 2027. Hilbert College is proud to partner with Montante Construction, which will serve as both the designer and builder for the project, bringing its extensive expertise in delivering innovative educational and community facilities. Architectural renderings, project milestones, and additional details on the facility’s features will be shared with the Hilbert community as the project progresses.

The new field represents a significant step forward in Hilbert’s continued investment in student success, campus engagement, and institutional growth. By bringing competition, celebration, and community together in one place, the facility will serve as a visible symbol of the college’s momentum and its commitment to being the college of the Southtowns for generations to come.