SELINSGROVE — How do you make one of the best Division III college football stadiums in the state even better?
Nick Lopardo’s answer: donate a Jumbotron that is bigger than the one in Fenway Park along with a scoreboard and training equipment.
“I was told it was a couple of inches bigger than the one at Fenway,” Lopardo said. “It’s a first-class board.”
Lopardo, who graduated from Susquehanna in 1968, purchased a minor league baseball team, the North Shore Spirit, in 2000 and immediately upgraded the park with the Jumbotron and scoreboard.
Lopardo then decided after a couple of seasons with the team to move on and knew immediately where to donate the board and equipment, “I knew right away that Susquehanna was the right place for the board and extra equipment. The university has been one of the biggest instruments in my life and I will never forget what it has done for me.”
The improvements aren’t just limited to the football stadium, as Lopardo extended his generosity to the baseball team, as well.
“The baseball stadium will be upgraded with the scoreboard that was directly under the Jumbotron,” said Lopardo. “They also received training equipment.”
Head football coach Steve Briggs had nothing but positive things to say about Lopardo and the new addition to the stadium, “He is extremely generous. I really feel that with his donations, the stadium is becoming the crown jewel of the campus.”
Along with improving the stadium’s appearance, the Jumbotron could offer financial opportunities for the university as well.
“I believe that once the community sees the board it will bring ads from local businesses,” Lopardo said. “It is a great way to get extra money to help the university and give local businesses a chance to get their name out.”
Even with the success Lopardo has had he is quick to credit those who have helped him. “Credit goes to my parents who taught me the joy of giving back. Their lessons have never made me question decisions like this one.”
Although the stadium, named in Lopardo’s honor, is approaching its eighth season, Lopardo still admits to being humbled every time he enters the stadium, “It is a thrill every time I walk through the gate. The first time when I walked through with my mother and saw our name on the stadium was a memory I will always cherish.”
Lopardo went on to joke about his grandson, who is named after Lopardo, “I received a call the other night from him and he told me he owns a football stadium. I asked him what he meant and he told me he looked it up on the Internet and saw his name on the stadium.”
Lopardo played both football and baseball for Susquehanna and is a member of the university’s sports Hall of Fame and the Top 100 Players of 100 Seasons.
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