Loughlin Has BIG News

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for our school community: construction is underway for a brand new turf field at Loughlin!

After months of careful planning, we broke ground in early July, and our goal is to complete the project by the start of the school year in September. 

This project is more than just a field—it’s a testament to Loughlin’s enduring strength and vision for the future. At 174 years young, Loughlin continues to thrive, offering our students state-of-the-art labs, innovative programs, and modern facilities.

---

Turf Update: August 2025

The past few weeks have been important as we have made unexpected and necessary repairs to the track. We have also encountered some challenges with underground pipes. Each challenge has been met, and we are moving forward.

The synthetic turf is now in place. It looks great!

However, the project is not complete.

We expect to have more information soon on how you can help us bring the project together. Please be on the lookout for information on the gift match offered by the Loughlin Foundation.

---

Gratitude

This exciting step forward for Loughlin would not have been possible without the generous support of our community. Brian C. Connolly, Class of 1973 (below), a current board member, has made an extraordinary investment that launched this project.

 

On more than one occasion, Brian has reminded us, "Loughlin was a difference maker in my life. I will forever be grateful to our school and all that it represents." The field proudly bears his name - The Brian C. Connolly Field, a tribute to his commitment to Loughlin’s future.

We are also deeply grateful to the Loughlin Foundation for their ongoing support, which includes a grant towards the project. Our thanks extend to the entire Loughlin Foundation board for their dedication and support. The Foundation is making a challenge grant to help us reach our goal. Stay tuned for more information.

In addition, Loughlin Governor Maureen Moss McInerney, BMD ’66, and Loughlin Foundation Board Member Pamela Sloan, BMD ’73, have made financial commitments that have helped bring this vision to life. Both are proud graduates of Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School.

We must also recognize the hard work of Head Lacrosse Coach and English Department faculty member Nicholas Dilonardo, who played a key role in bringing this project to fruition. His dedication to our students and athletic programs has been invaluable throughout the planning and launch of the new field.

---

Project Details

First and foremost, to those of you asking, "will Loughlin remove our track?" the answer is, of course, "no way." Our track program remains a cornerstone of our overall Athletic Program.

The new XT-50 2" synthetic turf system will cover the entire schoolyard inside the track, creating a modern and versatile space for Loughlin students and teams. The field will accommodate softball, lacrosse, and soccer, with lines painted for each of these sports and the Loughlin logo featured at the center.

In addition to the new turf, the current track is being repaired, and the long jump pit will be relocated. Enhancements such as a portable backstop, dugouts, and portable goals for soccer and lacrosse are also part of the plans.

Beyond providing an exciting new space for our students and teams, the field will also be made available for rental to various Brooklyn soccer and lacrosse programs and clubs. The income generated from these rentals will be used to support scholarships for our students, further expanding opportunities across our Loughlin community.

We recognize that many alumni and friends have fond memories of the iconic handball courts. For decades, students played handball after school and during free periods, first with wooden walls and later with concrete.

Stay Tuned!

We’ll be sharing regular updates and photos throughout August. You will also learn more about the challenge grant from the Loughlin Foundation.

Thank you for being part of the Loughlin family and for your ongoing support as we continue to invest in our students and our future.

While the courts have gone largely unused for nearly a decade, our lacrosse, softball, and soccer programs have flourished. The new field will allow us to utilize our space in innovative ways.