Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 September 7, 2001 f

New facilities add to athletic splendor
ALISON McCONNELL
Sports Editor

There are some new developments visible in the Bowdoin athletic program this fall, both inside and outdoors. Most noticeable is the Howard F. Ryan Field, which is located behind Farley Field House. The Astroturf playing field is currently being used for women's field hockey, and will also house lacrosse in the spring. Additionally, Bowdoin's squash courts are now situated next to the field house, in the new Lubin Family Squash Center.

"I think they (the new facilities) are wonderful," said Jeff Ward, the College's athletic director. "Good people did the work, and they did a good job. In some senses, they exceeded my expectations."

Both facilities were made possible by alumni gifts, and were officially named and dedicated in the spring of 2000. The majority of the turf field's funding came from H. Allen Ryan '64, in honor of his father, a member of the class of '28.

"Some people were worried about putting an artificial turf field into the space," Ward said. "But I don't think we have detracted from it at all. That openness is still there, and I think later in the fall it will be a gorgeous setting to play in."

The doubles squash court in use. (Henry Coppola, Bowdoin Orient)

The Lubin family, as well as several other alumni and contributors, made the new squash facility possible. Kate and Emily Lubin, both recent Bowdoin graduates, were important in the conception of the building. Emily (Class of '95) played tennis and squash while at the College, earning four-year letters on both squads. Kate, who graduated last spring, also excelled on the squash team during each of her four years.

There are six singles courts in the building, and one court that is adaptable for both singles and doubles matches. "Everything in there is very simple, but it met every need we had," Ward said.

"The Lubin gift was a great one, and I believe it's the first time where more than half the donation came from parents," Ward said. "There was a real community feel with the project."

Ward is also pleased with the way the new facilities speak about the College. "When Bowdoin does things, we want to do them well, so that our students have the opportunities they're looking for," he stated.

He continued to signify that Ryan, the Lubin family, and the projects' other contributors made important gifts to the school; ones that will be utilized for many years to come. "Both of these [projects] will stand the test of time, as do many of our other facilities," he said.