October 11, 2016
La Roche College Announces the Naming of the Baierl Athletic Complex
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11, 2016 – La Roche University announced the naming of the Baierl Athletic Complex at a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
“The support and extraordinary generosity of Baierl Automotive and La Roche University Trustee Mr. Lee Baierl played a significant role in making our ‘Field of Dreams’ a reality for our student athletes, coaches and loyal La Roche Redhawk fans,” La Roche President Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D., said. “With sincere gratitude, I am honored to announce the naming of the Baierl Athletic Complex at La Roche University.”
The ceremony was held at Varischetti Pavilion and attended by students, faculty and staff, members of the University’s Board of Trustees, representatives from Baierl Automotive, and public officials, including U.S. Congressman Keith Rothfus, PA State Representative and Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, Senator Randy Vulakovich, and several council members from McCandless Township, including President Gerard Aufman, Jr. of Ward 2, Vice President William McKim of Ward 7 and Kim Zachary of Ward 1.
“La Roche’s investment in the athletic complex provides tremendous benefits to student athletes, coaches and the University as a whole. Plus being an accessible resource to local organizations makes it invaluable to the community,” Baierl Automotive President and CEO and La Roche University Trustee Lee Baierl, said. “We’re proud to have the Baierl name associated with an organization that places as much value on our neighborhoods as it does its students.”
In addition to thanking Baierl Automotive and Mr. Baierl, Sister Candace publicly thanked the University’s Board of Trustees for their leadership and expertise, along with Chair of the Board Kathryn Jolley and Greg Madej of DRS Architects, La Roche Trustee Steven Massaro of Massaro Corporation, and other major donors S&T Bank, La Roche Trustee Nicholas Varischetti and the Massaro Family.
The men’s soccer game followed the ceremony and all guests were invited to a cookout.
Sister Candace said that while several factors and strategies impact college enrollment, the renovated complex and its amenities have been attractive to prospective student athletes, noting an increases in first-year athletes in nearly all of La Roche’s athletic programs. This season, the men’s and women’s soccer teams both have the highest number of freshman and transfer recruits in the University’s history. The complex also will allow La Roche to expand its number of varsity sports with the addition of women’s lacrosse.
Total enrollment for the 2016-2017 academic year peaked at 1,555 students, the University’s largest overall enrollment since 2005.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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