Lack of space hampersplayingfields

by Terry Cipollini staff writer

If you build it, they will come. This was true in " Field of Dreams" but not at Cabrini.

The athletic department is in need of fields for the players. In any given season there are likely to be three or four teams sharing two fields. The teams split the fields in half in order to have practice time. This would be similar to studying for a cumulative final with a half semester of notes.

Many years ago when softball was the only team sport at Cabrini the upper field was sufficient. Additional sports were added to the program to attract more students. As the athletic department grew so did the need for fields. The only field added to the campus was the lower field next to the Dixon Center.

The athletic department worked hard to recruit good athletes who were also good students. The graduation rate for the athletic students is higher than that of the general student population. Participation of former athletic alumni is also significantly higher.

The members of the softball team are not just athletic champions, they currently rank fourth in the nation academically. The lack of proper playing facilities will make it extremely difficult, according to the athletic department to continue recruiting top rate students.

Bridget Baxter, head softball coach said, "I feel that the softball team deserves a field." Last year the team hosted and won the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship " borrowing" the field of their rival team, Eastern College. Unfortunately, a PAC rule states that if a member teain does not have a NCAA regulation field all games will have to be played on the road.

A regulation field requires an all dirt infield. To add this infield to one of the existing fields would restrict the use of the field for other sports. Baxter has been requesting a new field since she began coaching at Cabrini three years ago. "I have been told they are working on it," Baxter said.

"A tremendous opportunity was lost for a new field in the development of the Dixon Center project,"John Dzik, athletic director said. The athletic department would like to have seen a softball field incorporated in the project. " Cabrini no longer has an area suitable for building a new field," Dzik:said.

Another obstacle comes from Radnor Township. ·cabrini is lined with trees referred to as heritage trees because of their size. A Radnor township ordinance se- verely restricts the moving or removal of these trees. This greatly reduces possible playing field expansions or locations.

Now Dzik is working on a possible arrangement with Valley Forge Military Academy for the development of a softball field on its property. "This idea is fmancially feasible and would benefit both schools," Dzik said.

In the meantime, focus shifts to the existing fields. According to Leslie Danehy, associate athletic director, the current fields are not in great condition because of overuse. Both existing fields are used by Cabrini students and out- side rentals.

There is also a low maintenance commitment from the college. "We would like to see one field converted to Astroturf and lighted," Danehy said. This would decrease damage and increase playing time. Hope has not faded in the eyes of the athletic department. Administrative members of many departments have been working to provide students from all areas of the school with updated facilities. " I believe the field issue has reached the top rung of the priority ladder," Danehy said.