College athletics: Pfeiffer renames soccer and lacrosse venues
Published Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 8:06 p.m.
Pfeiffer press release
Misenheimer – On Saturday, lacrosse alumni from the past 40 years and their families gathered at the venue to commemorate the 40th anniversary.th We celebrate the anniversary of the founding of men's lacrosse at Pfeiffer University and the renaming of the newly renovated soccer and lacrosse field to Lefco Mills Field. The special announcement regarding the new field name was made prior to Pfeiffer men's lacrosse's victory over Piedmont College. Donor dedications and public recognition of the project are planned as part of the Homecoming Game Day schedule on October 19, 2024.
The venue, which was recently upgraded with a state-of-the-art artificial turf surface, was originally named for Nicholas E. Levko '37, the longtime head football coach who coached at Pfeiffer from 1959 to 1974. He became a charter member of the Pfeiffer Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1979. Levko coached three All-Americans and led the 1965 team to a 10-1 overall record and a national ranking. . Levko will serve as a coach and professor at Pfeiffer University for 42 years.
Randolph P. Mills Jr. served as an assistant lacrosse coach and was instrumental in recruiting many of the players who eventually became the foundation of Pfeiffer's men's lacrosse program in the mid-1980s. Mills used his connections in the northeastern part of the country to recruit talented players to the program. Mills, known as the Johnny Appleseed of lacrosse, founded programs at Pfeiffer University, Limestone College, Neumann College and Cabrini College. Additionally, Gardner started his team and his recreational programs at clubs such as Webb University and his UCLA. In 1996, Mills was named Man of the Year by the Pennsylvania Coaches Association and later recognized by the NCAA as the player with the highest winning percentage in Division III.
Prior to the game, Pfeiffer President Dr. Scott Bullard spoke to the audience, recognizing the importance of athletics to the overall student life at Pfeiffer and thanking the lacrosse team and soccer team for their financial support for its installation. He expressed his gratitude to his alumni and friends. Realistically reproduces the surface of artificial turf. Bullard noted that the new field name recognizes two central figures in Pfeiffer's outstanding soccer and lacrosse history.
Tom Mills '86, a Pfeiffer lacrosse alumnus and son of coach Randy Mills, also thanked donors for their generosity toward field renovations, saying that early teams “were playing on that patch of grass and dirt over there.” He reminded the audience that. It is now a training ground.
“Every team that uses this field has something to be proud of, from the men's and women's lacrosse teams, to the soccer program, to the track and field program, to the general student body,” he said.
“With the addition of this beautiful turf field next to our excellent softball facility, Pfeiffer continues its resurgence and we are all happy and proud to be a part of it. ”
As demonstrated this weekend, the completed turf surface not only significantly reduces field preparation time for Pfeiffer competition staff, but also improves drainage and allows for safer competition after wet weather. .
Before Saturday's game, the field absorbed nearly an inch of rain from the weather system that hit the area Friday.
“If we didn't have this turf today, the rain that fell yesterday would have made this field unplayable today, and we want to celebrate this great university and this special place,” Mills said in his remarks. I wouldn't have been here in 2017.” each other. “
Lefco Mills Field has been home to many championship teams over the years. Using available records, this venue has been home to four men's lacrosse tournament championship teams (1997, 1998, 2021, 2023) and two regular season championship teams (2021, 2023).
The women's lacrosse team brought four titles to The Villages, winning conference tournament titles in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and the regular season title in 2005.
The Pfeiffer women's soccer team won regular season conference championships in 2000 and 2005 and tournament titles in 2008, 2010 and 2013. During Coach Pfeiffer's time in Division III, the women's soccer team captured her 2019 Southeastern Division crown, the first team title across all sports.
The Falcon men's soccer program has won several championships, including the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship. Falcon men's soccer also won the regular season conference championship in 1997, 2015 and 2016 and the conference tournament in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Major donors for the turf field renovation will be recognized as part of the dedication ceremony scheduled for Homecoming 2024. New signage will be added to the field area to recognize those who helped make the project a reality. His gifts of $1,000 or more received by June 30, 2024 will be featured on new field signage.
