Fairfield hosts the 35th installment of the Fr. Victor F. Leeber, S.J. Invitational on Saturday, September 24. The women's 5K is set to begin at 11am with the men's 8K slated for 11:45am on the Fairfield University campus. The start/finish line is located at Lessing Field which is at the center of the Stags athletic facilities.

The 2011 field of competitors consists of nearly 250 harriers from 10 different programs. On the men's side, the Stags will look to defend their team title against Rutgers, Stony Brook, Sacred Heart, Fordham, St. Francis (NY), Bridgeport, New Haven, and Ramapo. The women's field consists of teams from Stony Brook, ranked sixth in the Northeast, St. John's, Sacred Heart, Fordham, St. Francis (NY) Bridgeport, New Haven, and Ramapo.

The Fairfield men won the team championship with five Stags finishing in the top-15, including Howie Rosas, who placed third, and John Lobo, who took fifth overall. The Sacred Heart women won their sixth team title in seven years with Kimberly DeLoreto repeating as the individual champion. The Stags were third with Kristen Golen placing ninth overall.

About the Namesake: Fr. Victor Leeber was perhaps one of the most prominent figures in the history of Fairfield University. His tenure began in 1947 as he joined the faculty as a language instructor and an academic advisor. Best known for his love of athletics, Fr. Leeber asked for and received permission to start a cross country and track & field program in 1948. He was named the head coach of the cross country team and served in that capacity until 1950. Fr. Leeber remained active in the athletic department, as he was the team chaplain for both the football and men's basketball teams until his retirement. He was officially dubbed the "Father of Sports" and inducted into the Fairfield University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. Fr. Leeber passed away in August 2009 at the age of 87.