Whittier College Finalizes Plans For Stadium Renovations
Whittier College will take the first step in the renovation of
its athletic facilities with the resurfacing of Newman Field and
Bonham Track in Memorial Stadium this summer. The project is
set to begin May 27 and finish August 15, in time for the 2008
football and soccer seasons.
The project involves three athletic facilities: Chief Newman
Football Field, Aubrey Bonham Track and Donald E. Graham
Soccer/Lacrosse Field. Byrom-Davies, Inc. is the contractor
for the entire project. They will dig up the grass field and
sprinkler system just days after the Whittier College graduation
ceremony and the process will continue through the
summer.
Chief Newman Field will be the first to receive a makeover.
The current grass turf will be replaced with Sprinturf
Ultrablade DF synthetic turf, which has a unique
state-of-the-art, vertically-draining, all-rubber infill
system. The field will be complete with lines for football
and soccer competition, and the ability to add lines for men's and
women's lacrosse.
The new synthetic turf surface will not be used for Track and Field
events, and as a result, the Donald E. Graham Soccer/Lacrosse Field
will be reconfigured to accommodate events such as the discus, shot
put and javelin. The Aubrey Bonham Track in Memorial Stadium
will be repainted as well.
The final piece of the puzzle will be a new press box looking over
the new turf from the top of the stadium. The press box will
include a VIP Section, home and away coaches' boxes, areas for
scoreboard operators, statisticians, media members and office
space. There will be phone and internet connections
throughout the building. The top of the press box will
accommodate all of the video taping needs for both teams.
The new field will also be available to others at Whittier.
"We hope that the new field will bring more than just a top-notch
field for our athletes to play on," said Director of Athletics Rob
Coleman. "This will be something the entire campus community
can enjoy as we incorporate a more prevalent intramural program at
the College."
Coleman has other plans for the field as well. In the past,
local high schools and organizations rented the field for football
games and other events. "It will give us an opportunity to
provide more revenue for the Athletics Department," said
Coleman. "Because it is easier to maintain and will stay in
top condition year-round, we can allow more events to take place
and bring more people to Whittier College."
The improvements to these facilities will provide a powerful
recruiting tool as well. "The new sprint turf and press box will
give Whittier football one of the top practice and game facilities
in all of NCAA Division III," says head football coach, BJ
Hammer. "It shows that Whittier College is committed to
developing a program that can win SCIAC Championships and compete
on the national stage. The new field will benefit everyone on
campus and it will be a huge recruiting tool."
Funds for the project were provided by multiple donations from
alumni and friends of the College. Gifts from Ray and Joan
Dezember, Chet and Olive McCloskey and David Mandarich made the
turf field installation possible, while a gift from Bill Wood will
allow the new press box to be assembled.
Ray Dezember graduated from Whittier in 1953, and has since served
as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. His wife, Joan, is
a 1956 graduate of the College. Chet McCloskey graduated in
1940 and his wife, Olive, is a member of the Class of 1944.
The pair have been involved with the College ever since their
graduation; Chet is a former Alumni Achievement Award
Recipient. Mandarich is a Purple & Gold member whose son,
Chris Mandarich, played lacrosse and graduated from Whittier.
Wood is a member of the Board of Trustees and received an honorary
degree from the College in 1998.
Their generosity will benefit Whittier College for years to come.
