September 14, 2005

While the former Harbin Field, reconstructed as the nascent "multi-sport facility," awaits future designation with the surname of a generous donor, perhaps the time has come to refer to it with a more Georgetown-friendly moniker. This Saturday, the University will baptize the field with prayer and with competition, on the gridiron against the Bears of Brown University. The "MSF" working title is quite a mouthful and, with actual games about to commence, surely it has run its course as a functional label.

"Harbin" Field no more

What nickname then for this Hoya field of dreams? Why not the Georgetown yard? Once upon a time, students went outside to play in the fenced-enclosed yard (between the former South building and the [Old] North building) that now comprises the Healy Quadrangle. Back in the 1860's, this was the center of the Georgetown campus and its significance to the students was underscored by the name they gave to the student governing body (originally composed of the intercollegiate team managers) that would meet there regularly: the Yard.

Today, the fenced-enclosed descendant of that yard again sits in the center of campus, now shifted slightly west and downhill from its original location. There will be more construction still to come with permanent brick grandstands, pavilions, enclosed suites, and lights for nighttime play. Together with the current spiffy turf field, all this will someday constitute the new "Joseph and Jane Hoya" stadium.

But in the meantime, no more MSF for me. From now on, it's the Georgetown yard.

N.B. Interim grandstands of 1,500 on the west side and 1,000 on the east side will be in place this weekend until final construction of the facility is completed, when an additional 1,000 seats will be eventually added to each side.

	Enclosed by brick and wrought iron, finishing flourishes are being added for the opening of the yard on September 17, 2005