Springfield College Bugbee Family Pavilion Groundbreaking Ceremony
As part of Reunion Weekend 2023 festivities, the Springfield College campus community came together on Saturday, June 10 to officially break ground on the Bugbee Family Pavilion at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field.
By: Damon Markiewicz
As part of Reunion Weekend 2023 festivities, the Springfield College campus community came together on Saturday, June 10 to officially break ground on the Bugbee Family Pavilion at Amos Alonzo Stagg Field.
Located at the north end of the home bleachers, the pavilion is designed to be synonymous with the traits of the Bugbee family: simple and strong with a traditional New England feel; family-oriented; and built to stand the test of time.
“I have said this many times, but I have two families, the one I go home to, my wife, kids, and grandchildren, and my Springfield College family,” expressed Springfield College Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Keith Bugbee, G'84. “Having the word ‘family’ on this building means everything to me, that’s what is really important in my life, and I am so grateful this building will represent individuals who enjoy celebrating life.”
The Bugbee Family Pavilion will also provide a special opportunity to remember Bugbee’s oldest daughter Lindsay Bugbee Crosby ’08, who passed away on July 4, 2018. Lindsay was a two-sport standout at Springfield College as a member of the soccer and lacrosse programs.
“Lindsay loved to compete, and she loved to celebrate life,” added Coach Bugbee. “She loved being a part of a team, and it means so much to our family that Lindsay will continue to be remembered with this special building on campus.”
Coach Bugbee is not an ordinary father, husband, or teacher-coach. He is a man who has left a lasting mark on thousands of students during his 40 years in the classroom and as the head men’s lacrosse coach at Springfield College.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, alumnus Sean Quirk ’95, G’97, represented all of the alumni who have had the honor of playing lacrosse at Springfield College for coach Bugbee. He expressed what makes Bugbee such a special coach and person in his life, and Quirk stressed it’s Bugbee’s commitment to building strong relationships with his players that makes him a very special person.
“I speak on behalf of all the alumni who played for coach Bugbee, and as much as he taught us about the great sport of lacrosse, he taught us so much more about the game of life,” added Quirk. “Coach Bugbee taught me life lessons I continue to use to this day. The connections he makes with people last a lifetime, and when you play for coach Bugbee, your relationship and friendship with him lasts forever. That’s what makes coach so special.”
The impact that Coach Bugbee has had on his colleagues at Springfield College certainly doesn’t go unnoticed as well. His constant message of being a good person, be a good teammate, represent your school and family in a good manner, and be proud of yourself, certainly resonates with everyone who is part of our Humanics philosophy at Springfield College.
“We have never had a project that has engaged so many alumni that not only said they were committed to Springfield College and this project, but they were committed to coach Bugbee,” explained Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper. “Coach Bugbee means so much to Springfield College, and what he continues to accomplish sets the bar so high for future projects.”
With the shovels officially in the ground and the construction of the project underway, the Bugbee Family Pavilion will be a welcome addition to the Springfield College Athletics experience, representing a constant commitment to family.
“Coach Bugbee has impacted so many families during his four decades on Alden Street,” concluded Springfield College Executive Director of Athletics Craig Poisson, DPE’99, G’90. “It will truly be a very special pavilion, representing a very special coach and family.”
It's not too late if you'd like to add your support to the funding of the Bugbee Family Pavilion. Join hundreds of other Springfield College alumni and friends in honoring Coach Bugbee with a gift to the Bugbee Family Pavilion today!
