On September 24, 2016 Bryant’s stadium complex, including the world-class Bulldog Strength & Conditioning Center, recipient of a Facilities of Merit Award from Athletic Business magazine, was dedicated in the name of David M. ’85 and Terry Beirne.
Beirne, a legendary advocate of the “go big or go home” philosophy, is Chairman and cofounder of Fantex Holdings, Inc. He previously was a general partner at Benchmark Capital, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm that was one of eBay’s earliest investors. He has served as a Bryant University Trustee since 2003. Beirne and his wife, Terry, are among the University’s most generous philanthropists and have made leadership gifts that provided substantial funding for the expansion of Bulldog Stadium and construction of the Bulldog Strength & Conditioning Center, both equal to some of the finest NCAA Division I facilities in the country. They have donated $7 million for enhancements to the Stadium Complex, athletic programs, and student scholarships. “Bryant attracts student-athletes of the highest character, work ethic, drive, toughness, and leadership,” said David M. Beirne ‘85, a former lacrosse player and 2016 Bryant University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. “The transition to Division I has been extraordinary.”
The Beirne Stadium Complex includes the 4,400-seat Bulldog Stadium, the centerpiece of Bryant University's outstanding athletic facilities, and utilizes a design consistent with much larger stadiums, ensuring excellent sight lines and maximum comfort for spectators. The facility began construction in 1998 to coincide with the varsity debut of Bryant football, and in 2009 the stadium underwent a transformation commensurate with competition at the highest level of collegiate athletics. Since that time the complex has been upgraded and changed as new locker rooms were added and one of the nation’s best-designed training facilities, the Bulldog Strength and Conditioning Center, was constructed. Opened in August 2015, the award-winning 10,000-square foot Bulldog Strength & Conditioning Center serves more than 550 student-athletes across 22 Division I sports and all Bryant Club sports teams. The facility is a superb model for other institutions and has been a resounding success in its first year, allowing Bulldogs to train with better equipment in less time as a team, resulting in stronger, faster athletes.
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Beirne Stadium Complex
The centerpiece of Bryant University's outstanding athletic facilities, Beirne Stadium was completed in 1999 to coincide with the varsity debut of Bryant football. Formally named Bulldog Stadium, the stadium was renamed Beirne Stadium on September 24, 2016.
With a seating capacity of 4,400, Beirne Stadium utilizes a design that is usually reserved for larger stadiums, ensuring excellent sight lines and maximum comfort for spectators.
A 3,200-seat permanent bleacher comprises the backdrop for the home side of the field, while 1,200 additional seats are available on the visitor's side. Three hundred seats in the stadium are equipped with backs and arm rests.
The Bulldog football locker room is a modern, spacious facility designed to give Bryant players a comfortable and accommodating team room complete with high definition televisions and sound system.
Recent upgrades to the facility include a renovation of the Field Hockey locker room, which also serves as the football visiting team locker room, as well as the construction of new team locker rooms for men's and women's lacrosse and women's soccer.
The stadium complex includes the new state-of-the-art strength & conditioning center as well as an athletic training center, equipment storage, and public restrooms.
The Beirne Stadium state-of-the-art press box contains booths for home and visiting coaches as well as ample work space for game personnel and visiting media including visiting radio and television. High speed internet and WIFI are available to all working media as well as well as out of town score updates.
Beirne Stadium's playing surface was laser-graded and special turf was installed in time for the 1999 varsity football season.
In 2007, more than 5,000 people poured through the gates to cheer on the Bulldogs as they played host to West Chester in an NCAA first round playoff game.
Bulldog Stadium has also played host to various conference championships and is the home site of the annual Northern Rhode Island Special Olympics in May for the past 30 - plus years.
In addition to serving as the home of Bryant Football, Bulldog Stadium also plays host to the school's men's and women's lacrosse and men's and women's soccer teams and has hosted several Rhode Island's high school state championship games.
