Leeber Invitational Program
Course Map

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University will play host to seven cross country teams at the Fr. Victor F. Leeber, S.J. Invitational on Saturday, September 22. The 36th installment of this annual race will begin with the women's 5K at 11am followed by the men's 8K at 11:45am. The start and finish lines are located near Lessing Field. An awards ceremony will take place upon the conclusion of the 8K.

Passionately Pink: In conjunction with the Leeber Invitational, the Stags women's cross country team has registered the race as a Susan G. Komen Passionately For Pink For The Cure® event. In addition to fundraising, the Stags will wear pink uniforms to raise breast cancer awareness as they traverse the North Benson Road campus. Educational materials also will be available on race day. If fans cannot make it to the Leeber Invitational and would like to make an online donation, visit the Stags' Passionately Pink team page by clicking here. Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure® supports life-saving research, education, screenings and treatment programs in the fight to end breast cancer forever. For more information, click here. 

About the 2012 Field: There will be seven cross country programs represented including men's and women's teams from University of Bridgeport, Fairfield University, Molloy College, the University of New Haven, and Sacred Heart University. Rutgers University will participate in the men's race. The Sacred Heart women's team has had great success at the Leeber Invitational, having captured the last eight team titles. A Pioneer has been the women's individual winner in nine of the last 13 years.

Last Year at the Leeber Invitational: The Fairfield men's team won their second consecutive Leeber Invitational title. Connor Kelley became the first Stag in 16 years to win the men's individual title, finishing the 8K in a time of 26:37.56. Ian Macneill is the only other Fairfield harrier to capture the event. On the women's side, Sacred Heart won its eighth consecutive team title with their own Brittany Lane winning the individual title in the 5K with a time of 18:41.06. 2011 Men's Results / 2011 Women's Results

About the Namesake: Fr. Victor Leeber, S.J. 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 men's basketball and football teams until his retirement. Officially dubbed the “Father of Sports,” Fr. Leeber was inducted into the Fairfield University Alumni Association Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. Fr. Leeber passed away in August 2009 at the age of 87.