YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Cafaro Family is donating $1.5 million to the Youngstown State University "We See Tomorrow" campaign to fund the construction of the new Cafaro Family Field intramural complex on the north side of campus.

The new field will be located adjacent to Cafaro House along Elm Street.

"As our residential student population continues to grow, it is important that we provide the recreational opportunities needed to serve those students. We thank the Cafaro family for again stepping forward to meet those needs and for their continued support of the university and our students," said YSU President Jim Tressel.

In 2017, the Cafaro Family received YSU's Friend of the University Award, one of the university's highest recognition. 

Over the last 23 years, the Cafaros have made gifts to YSU totaling more than $5 million.

Their donations include $1 million for the Watson and Tressel Training Site, $1 million to name the Cafaro House residence hall, $250,000 for the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center, $100,000 to establish the Joseph and Betty Nohra Scholarship in nursing and business, annual support for the William and Alyce and the John Cafaro Scholarships, and gifts to help fund the Rich Center for Autism and various other scholarships.

Anthony Cafaro, Sr., retired president of The Cafaro Company, said, "YSU's role as a significant catalyst for the region has only grown under the leadership of President Tressel. We are thrilled to be a small part of that success and to continue our ongoing commitment to the university and its students."

Overall enrollment is up this year for the third time in the last four years, and this year's freshmen class is 32 percent larger than four years ago.

"With so many more students on campus, we want to make sure that we provide an environment that meets the needs of our students, including recreation," said Joy Pokabla Byers, director of Campus Recreation.

Byers says the field allows YSU to offer more intramural sports, special event opportunities and club sport competitions.

"This will allow our students to take pride in showcasing our university to visiting club teams, which is important for our recruitment and retention of club sport athletes," Byers said.