September 25, 2013
Commitment Equals Commitment: Chapeys’ $1 Million Gift Reflects Passion for Lacrosse Program
By Brendan McGair ’03
After serving on the committee for a new men’s lacrosse head coach, Mike Chapey ’86 was so impressed by the College’s commitment to the program that his wife, Maura ’86, and he made an unprecedented donation to their alma mater: $1 million to support construction of a new, state-of-the-art lacrosse and soccer complex to be located adjacent to Schneider Arena.
In honor of the Chapeys’ generosity and commitment to PC, the complex will be named Chapey Field. Formal design planning is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall.
The Chapeys’ gift is a major component of the Department of Athletics’ record $4-million fund-raising effort in the 2012-13 fiscal year.
“PC has been, and always will be, a very important part of our lives, and we are delighted to give back to an institution that has enriched our lives so much,” said Maura Chapey, who received her B.A. in Spanish. “Lacrosse was a huge part of Mike’s experience at PC, and the program continues to be a great source of pride for both of us.”
One of only four Friar lacrosse players to score 100 or more goals during his career, Chapey served on the committee that led to the hiring of current men’s lacrosse Head Coach Chris Gabrielli in June 2012. Gabrielli spent the previous six seasons at national powerhouse Duke.
“Providence doesn’t have fraternities, but the lacrosse team was very much like a fraternity to me. We developed a lot of strong bonds that continue to this day,” recalled Chapey. “When it became clear that the College was committed to building a championship lacrosse program, that was enough for Maura and me to follow through and give our personal support.”
A marketing major at PC, Chapey is a portfolio manager at Prologue Capital, LLP in Greenwich, Conn. Maura and he have four children and reside in Wilton, Conn.
Brendan McGair ’03 is a freelance sports writer from Cranston, R.I.
