SUNY Delhi Celebrates Brand-New Turf Field with Naming Ceremony

The turf field was named after '62 alum and donor Neil Riddell.

DELHI, NY (09/02/2022) SUNY Delhi held a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony for the brand-new athletic turf field on campus on September 1 ahead of the first men's soccer game of the season. The turf field was named the Neil Riddell Field in honor of Neil Riddell '62, a SUNY Delhi alum and lead donor for the construction of the field.

The new all-sports turf field is a signature addition to SUNY Delhi Broncos NCAA Division III athletic facilities, becoming home to some of SUNY Delhi's most competitive teams, including women's soccer, men's soccer, and men's lacrosse. In addition to an athlete-friendly playing surface, the facility brings modern amenities such as sports lighting, clocks, and a sound system to the spectator and fan experience. The new turf field allows SUNY Delhi's accomplished student-athletes to train and compete at the highest level.

"Ending up with the legacy of having this turf field named for me is way beyond my dreams," Neil Riddell said at the event. "I'm proud to be in a place to make a difference. When I came to Delhi, I had to put myself through school because we didn't have two nickels to rub together. I hitchhiked back and forth to college that first semester. After graduation, I found success in business - and the way to do that is to keep a positive attitude, have a good work ethic, choose good friends, and keep smiling. I'm glad we could make this field happen - it's all for you, the students. As I walk off this field today, I'm so proud to leave SUNY Delhi a better place than I found it 62 years ago."

"This ceremony highlights what is possible when a person finds their purpose, follows their passion, and lives a life of integrity and service," said Dr. Mary Bonderoff, Officer-in-Charge at SUNY Delhi. "This beautiful new field, made possible in large part by Neil Riddell's unwavering commitment to SUNY Delhi, will serve our student-athletes and campus for generations to come."

Mr. Riddell, a member of the SUNY Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame and former Vice President of the College Foundation at Delhi, Inc. Board of trustees, graduated from SUNY Delhi with a degree in business in 1962. Mr. Riddell served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and spent his career running agricultural and real estate businesses throughout Central New York. Mr. Riddell supports and volunteers for many organizations "to pay it forward because people have helped me in my times of need." An avid sports enthusiast, he still officiates college soccer and high school soccer and basketball games at age 80.

For more information on the turf field and SUNY Delhi athletics, please visit delhibroncos.com or contact Athletic Director Bob Backus at 607-746-4677 or backusrh@delhi.edu.

For information on the College Foundation at Delhi and giving, please contact the VP for College Advancement Michael Sullivan at 607-746-4538 or sullivmt@delhi.edu.