North Field Campaign: Ground-breaking to turf North Field set for Summer 2012

Taking the Next Step: The Plan to Turf North Field

Endicott College embraces the notion that, in concert with academic pursuits, athletics can challenge students to develop life skills by giving them opportunities to form and test healthy, life-long values and habits. 

Endicott College is highly regarded for its rigorous academic programs and dedication to community service. For a large number of our students, it is also a place to pursue their athletic and fitness goals. Of our 2,000 students, roughly 25% play an intercollegiate sport. When you add the number of students involved in intramural games or recreational activities, the number jumps to 80%.

We believe it’s time to refurbish North Field to make it the outstanding facility our students deserve.  To remain competitive among similar institutions and to provide a well-rounded college experience that includes athletics, Endicott College must continually improve its facilities. Efforts are now focused on the installation of an artificial turf field, which would replace the existing grass field at North Field. The installation of this new turf field will allow Endicott College to remain competitive and help attract the best students and athletes.

A synthetic turf field would bring North Field to a new level of competition in the Commonwealth Coast Conference and New England, creating a “championship venue.”

Natural grass fields do not withstand the damage of regular athletic competition and can be severely impacted during bad weather. Likewise, some sports, such as field hockey, require a more sophisticated maintenance plan, and grass only minimally meets the requirements for game play.
The new artificial turf field is advantageous for the North Shore community as well and could be used by community groups, schools and local organizations for sporting events, camps, and fundraising activities.

Along with the addition to the Post Center in 2010 and the stadium lockeroom facility in 2011, this addition to North Field is the next step toward Endicott College maintaining its status as one of the most welcoming, accessible and desirable colleges in New England.  The project is expected to be completed by August, 2012.

 

The Benefits of a Synthetic Surface

Consistent Playing Surface

New England weather can cause uncomfortable or unsafe field conditions. Synthetic turf is free from mud or uneven settling.

Earlier Starts for Seasonal Sports

Snow often hampers the start of spring sports in North Field, causing teams to vie for time at the Stadium. A synthetic surface allows for easy snow removal, giving teams the opportunity to start their seasons on time.

Flexible Practice Times

By Making North Field available earlier in the spring and later in the fall, scheduling practice times for all of our intercollegiate, intramural, and recreational athletic activities will be much easier.

Enhanced Fan Experience

An improved concourse, along with the creation of a prominent park entrance, will enhance the fan experience with improved ADA access, dedicated concessions area, and room for tailgating.

Student-Athlete Recruiting

The addition of this facility will help to ensure that Endicott College will remain a top choice for undergraduates.

Increased Overall Student Experience

Athletes who take the field, classmates who cheer them on and students in our School of Sport Science and Fitness Studies who will use the field as a learning tab will benefit from a facility worthy of their efforts.

Community Access

The new turf surface on North Field will provide an outstanding facility for community sports programs, summer camps, and many non-profit organization that sponsor programs for youth on the North Shore.

For information on the many naming opportunities available at the newly designed North Field, please call or email:
Brian Wylie
Director of Athletics
bwylie@endicott.edu
978-232-2440