Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Hofstra University Athletics

THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
THE PRIDE OF LONG ISLAND
Cindy Lewis Stadium Graphic

Field Hockey Stadium To Be Renamed In Honor Of Cindy Lewis; Hofstra Unveils “EmpowHER” Campaign

7/25/2024 4:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University and the Department of Athletics announced today that in honor of Cindy Lewis' more than 40-year association with the University and the countless lives she touched, the Hofstra Field Hockey Stadium will be named Cindy Lewis Stadium. 

The official dedication will occur at Hofstra's regular season opener on Sunday, September 1, when the Pride takes on Old Dominion. The game will begin at 12 p.m. with the official ribbon cutting ceremony occurring prior to the game. There will be an alumnae gathering during the game and a post-game tailgate with the field hockey team. 

"Cindy Lewis' commitment to Hofstra's athletic program and her unwavering support for student-athletes will be felt for generations to come," said Hofstra President Susan Poser. "Cindy's passion for fostering inclusivity and equality through sports created opportunities and inspired countless individuals. Naming the Field Hockey Stadium in her honor is a fitting tribute to a true trailblazer whose legacy will continue to empower and inspire." 

In addition to the naming of the field hockey stadium, we are proud to announce the launch of the "EmpowHER" fundraising campaign and the Cindy Lewis Fund for Women's Athletics at Hofstra University. Contributions to these fundraising initiatives will help honor Cindy Lewis' legacy and will benefit Hofstra's women's athletics programs and female student-athletes. 

"Cindy Lewis was, and always will be, an incredible part of what makes Hofstra Athletics such a special place," noted Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. "Cindy left an indelible mark on our University and the athletics community as a whole, and we are honored to recognize her."

Whether you are a strong advocate for women's sports, a proud alumnae, a dedicated parent or friend of a current student-athlete, a friend of Cindy's, or simply someone who believes in the power of athletics to transform lives, your contribution matters. Together, let's EmpowHER, and honor the legacy of a trailblazing legend and invest in the future of women's athletics at Hofstra University!

Lewis passed away in October 2023 after a battle with cancer. 

She served as Hofstra's executive associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator. During her 43-year tenure at Hofstra, she also served as the department's Title IX coordinator, in addition to handling sport administration duties for several of the Pride's 21 athletic teams. 
 
Lewis, who hailed from Massapequa, New York, graduated from Hofstra in 1979 with a degree in physical education. She was a field hockey and women's lacrosse student-athlete for four seasons. After earning a master's in physical education from the University of New Hampshire in 1980, Lewis returned to her alma mater and served as head coach of both field hockey and women's lacrosse.
 
Lewis was a key contributor to the extensive growth of Pride Athletics, including overseeing the introduction of women's soccer and women's golf as intercollegiate sports. Her commitment to Title IX allowed women's athletics at Hofstra to flourish.
 
Lewis was a member of the NCAA Women's Lacrosse and Volleyball Committees, serving as chairperson of the Volleyball Committee in 1995. In addition, she was a site representative at NCAA Volleyball and Lacrosse Championships and was a tournament director at several NCAA Championship events held at Hofstra. 
 
Beyond her Hofstra duties, she was a former president of the Long Island Women's Lacrosse Association and served as a women's lacrosse official on both the collegiate and high school levels. In addition, Lewis was a volleyball and field hockey official for local high schools. 
 
During her celebrated career, Lewis was inducted into the 2022 Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame and the 2020 Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame. In August 2023, she received the CAA's John H. Randolph Inspiration Award.
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version