RIT is making final preparations for the official opening of Judson Stadium, as the construction stage has been completed.
The newly renovated venue — now formally known as Thomas Fearey Judson Jr. Stadium — is set to become the new home for RIT’s men’s and women’s soccer and lacrosse programs. The stadium replaces the former Tiger Stadium and represents a major investment in the university’s athletics infrastructure.
The support of the Judson family, who have multigenerational connections with RIT and its Board of Trustees, reflects an emphasis on philanthropy and alumni involvement in RIT’s ongoing campus improvements. The stadium has been named after Thomas Fearey Judson Jr., the chairman of Pike Construction Services, which also managed the project’s construction.
RIT President Bill Sanders announced updates on stadium progress and naming during his Sept. 10, 2025, welcome address, citing the Judson family’s long-standing connection to the university.
“We’re honored that Tom and Ebets [Judson], along with their son Rufus and their company Pike Construction, have come together to make a significant financial commitment to fund and provide a new name for this stadium,” Sanders said.
The stadium seats approximately 1,180 spectators and features modern amenities designed to enhance both athlete performance and fan experience. According to RIT Athletics and university announcements, the facility includes team locker rooms, a training room, a media suite, concession areas, a hospitality room with a glass viewing wall and an outdoor concourse.
Groundbreaking for the project took place in April 2024, marking the beginning of construction. University officials have described the stadium as part of a larger effort to elevate RIT athletics onto a national level, aligning facilities with the competitiveness of its Division III athletic programs.
The construction process was not without setbacks, as in November 2024, a roof fire at the stadium construction site injured multiple workers and temporarily halted progress. Workers were treated at local hospitals, and construction resumed following safety reviews and inspections. University officials later confirmed the incident did not significantly alter the overall project timeline.
In early February, Pike Construction announced the completion of the stadium’s construction, calling it a “state-of-the-art athletic facility” and highlighting its role in supporting RIT’s soccer and lacrosse programs.
With the stadium preparing for official opening, student-athletes and fans will have their first opportunities to experience the upgraded facility. A formal dedication ceremony will be held on April 18, 2026, exactly two years after breaking ground on the project.
The completion of the renovated stadium and the final stages of the performing arts theater mark the end of two ambitious projects that began under former RIT president David Munson.
