Riordan is finally building a new sports field. After years of effort, the plan has now gained traction. The ambitious refurbishing of the school’s field has been in the works for several years, but now a generous challenge grant from the Mayer family may have just made it possible.

The Riordan administration has been raising money for the new field project since 2012, and at this point in time, has managed to raise around $500,000 in cash and $800,000 in pledges for the cause, including a recent, generous challenge grant from the Mayer family that has given the cause a chance to massively increase its funds.

Mike and Steven Mayer, along with other Riordan graduates from the 1970s, have donated and pledged an amount totaling more than $1,000,000. The largest of these pledges is the Mayer family’s challenge grant, which promises to match every dollar of donation to the project up to $500,000.

This incredible contribution has actually led the administration to name the new field the Mayer Family Field.

Other noteworthy donors include Philip Cazahous ’70, Mike Mayer ’71, Steve Mayer ’72, Kevin Barry ’72, Brian Spiers ’75, Steven Herrera ’76, and Dr. Frank Castro and John Calonico from the class of 1979.

The new field’s plan is ambitious and contains three phases of work: the first is the area inside the track and the second and third are the area surrounding it. The plan for the field includes not only refurbishing it, but also retrofitting it for more sports and allowing it to be more available.

The plan of converting the field to turf will allow multiple teams to play in quick succession without damaging the grass. The hope is that this increased availability will allow more Riordan teams to play their home games at Riordan.

Riordan’s field is not only used for sports, and the benefits of this project will extend to the entire school. This project will be improving an important piece of Riordan that hosts the Riordan, Band practices, Camp Crusader, intramural, and school and House activities.