Hempstead, NY - The Lacrosse and Football Traditions Project, made possible by a leadership gift from James C. Metzger '83, will be available for viewing this Saturday. Fans are invited to walk through the display during the women's lacrosse game and prior to the men's lacrosse contest from 6-6:45 p.m. The #10 Pride will take on the #7 Blue Jays at 7 p.m. in the second of two games at James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday. The women's lacrosse team hosts #20 Rutgers at 1 p.m.
Metzger's gift allowed for a new Lacrosse and Football Traditions Project that proudly displays the history of the men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse and football programs.
In the spirit of the project, Metzger has chosen to name several areas of Margiotta Hall after former student-athletes. The Traditions Project itself will be named after Mike D'Amato '68 and Lou DiBlasi '61. D'Amato, a football and lacrosse all-conference selection, played for the New York Jets during the 1968 season. DiBlasi, a four-year letterman in football and lacrosse, was a member of the 1956 Tiny 20 football squad as well as the 1959 undefeated football team.
The lacrosse offices will be named after Metzger and Kevin Huff '78. Huff, a football and men's lacrosse standout, was a two-time All-American in lacrosse and ranks 10th all-time in rushing. Metzger was a two-year letterman on the men's lacrosse team, earning honorable mention All-America honors in his sophomore campaign while scoring 4.9 points per game, which ranks fourth all-time in Hofstra history. He is one of only three players to tally eight or more points three times in one season when he recorded eight points versus Penn State, Towson and North Carolina State in 1980.
The reception space between the men's and women's lacrosse head coaches' offices will be named after Gary Arnold '83 and the Unterstein family. Arnold, a four-year letterman in lacrosse and team leader in goals in 1981 and 1982, went on to serve as an assistant coach under Harry Royle after graduation. The Unterstein family is the only family in Hofstra Lacrosse history to collectively earn conference player of the year (Chris, 2006), defensive player of the year (Kevin, 2008) and rookie of the year (Mike, 2005). Chris Unterstein earned first-team All-America accolades in 2006, while Kevin was a 2007 honorable mention All-American. All three also participated in the North-South Senior All-star game (Chris in 2006, and Kevin and Mike in 2008).
"Jim's generosity has provided the funding to enhance Margiotta Hall for our student-athletes and coaches who work, study and train in that facility," Hofstra Director of Athletics Jack Hayes said. "What is so powerful about Jim's way of supporting Hofstra Athletics is that he always involves others in his efforts. His leadership with this project will inform our past, present and future student-athletes of the rich tradition of these three programs."
