SC Celebrates $700,000 In Federal Funding

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Feb. 23, 2004 -- Springfield College President Richard B. Flynn and United States Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) led a campus celebration at Blake Arena today at 10 a.m. formally announcing $700,000 in federal funding toward the costs of a new Springfield College Field House.

The proposed new freestanding field house, to be located behind and between the college’s Physical Education Complex and Art Linkletter Natatorium, will complement current college sports and athletics facilities. The facility will support the college’s instruction, recreation and athletic programs.

The facility also will be used for several Springfield College programs that have national and international impact. The college trains more than 500 YMCA program directors and leaders of other not-for-profit groups annually, and conducts clinics and symposia for national and international youth leaders, coaches and mentors. Among other programs that the field house will support is The National Football Foundation Center for Youth Development through Sport at Springfield College. Its “Play It Smart” program places academic coaches in underserved high schools around the country to assist student athletes in achieving academic and personal goals and enrolling in higher education.

Speaking to an audience of college students, faculty, and staff, Flynn said, “In short, this new field house will help Springfield College to fulfill its long-standing mission – to educate students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to humanity.” Flynn is a nationally recognized expert on sports and athletics facilities design, and has written several publications on the subject.

A new field house is included in the college's master plan for campus improvement. The college will seek funding to complete the project from private sources. Construction dates have not yet been identified. The college will seek bids from architectural and construction firms with expertise in college athletics facilities.

Construction of a new field house will continue ongoing campus improvement at Springfield College. Currently, a new residence hall for 205 students is being built and is scheduled to open in September 2004. In 2003, the college completed renovations to Wilbraham Hall, the Admissions Office and the Brennan Center. Wilbraham Hall, a former factory building, was converted to a state-of-the-art teleconferencing center, and classroom and office building. The Brennan Center was remodeled into a conference center and home for the college’s School of Social Work. The Admissions Office was remodeled and expanded.

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Springfield College 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109-3797 413.748.3000
Page updated on: 02/23/2004