Welcome to 'The Rock'

By Matt Moretti III

11/27/2019 10:00:00 AM

In February 2019 the Jacksonville University men’s and women’s lacrosse programs opened one of the first lacrosse-only facilities in the nation and today, thanks to a substantial gift, the facility has its name – the Rock Lacrosse Center. Dave Rock ‘92, who started the very first men’s lacrosse club team in 1988, along with his parents Alvah and Susan Rock, have come forward to make this most generous contribution.

“The Rock family gift is transformational,” Senior Vice President and Athletics Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert said. “This gift will assist our student-athletes, lacrosse programs, department, and University for years to come. Having the Rock family name on our Lacrosse Center couldn’t be more appropriate as Dave Rock was instrumental in bringing men’s lacrosse to Jacksonville University.”

Rock previously contributed to this facility during its construction to name the Coaches Locker Room and has been a champion of building traditions for both lacrosse programs. In addition to working alongside JU’s Director of Admissions Bob Merritt to create the program, Rock also served as the head coach, a captain and a player for the team. He holds a deep appreciation for the history of the sport and has worked hard to ensure that Jacksonville lacrosse has a place in it.

“In the 1990 yearbook next to a picture of the first JU lacrosse team,” Rock shared, “I'm quoted as saying: ‘Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in America today and hopefully JU’s JAX LAX will become a force in southern lacrosse.’ I am honored to have participated in the founding of JU's lacrosse program, and it is my absolute joy and privilege to be a part of its legacy now, decades later, and on into the future. My family’s gift celebrates the first team, the administration, the coaches, all players, and their parents who have tirelessly carried the torch and fulfilled a 30-year dream."

The state-of-the-art $1.8 million facility, that to this point has been known as the Jacksonville Lacrosse Center (JLC), boasts 8,600 square feet and features 10 offices for coaches, assistants and staff, a conference room, theater style film room, and men's & women's locker rooms along with two large outdoor patios. The facility was part of the expansive ASPIRE Campaign and was a parent-led effort.

“While most people look at our program’s inception having been in 2010, the reality is that the roots of this program began in 1988 when Dave Rock showed up on this campus,” men’s lacrosse head coach John Galloway said. “Dave started a lacrosse team without funding, equipment, or official University support. Against all odds, he built a program with passion, persistence and a genuine love for the game. The foundation for our program was laid then, and now every player that has the privilege to walk into the Rock Lacrosse Center will know and appreciate where it all began.”

The Rock is located adjacent to the north side of D.B. Milne Field where both lacrosse teams play their home games. The women's lacrosse program, led by Mindy McCord, is the back-to-back-to-back reigning ASUN Conference Tournament champions and have played in five NCAA Tournaments. The men's program, led by USA Lacrosse gold medalist John Galloway, has been a consistent presence near the top of the Southern Conference.

“Dave Rock has a wonderful story of lacrosse at JU,” women’s lacrosse head coach Mindy McCord said. “We are beyond thrilled for the Rock family and for Dave’s legacy to live on through the lives of our lacrosse student-athletes on and off the field.”

“This gift is not only transformative for our program,” Galloway continued; “but it also deepens the tradition of what was built over 30 years ago, and will propel us into the next 30 years. I couldn’t be more grateful to have Dave and his wife Elisabeth as friends, mentors and supporters of the men and women who walk in and out of this facility every day, and I can only hope they know the impact this will have on those student-athletes for the rest of their lives.”

The Rock Lacrosse Center will assume its new name immediately and a formal dedication of the facility naming will take place during the spring of 2020. More information to come on that event.

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