FAREWELL TO THE FIELD C

hilly evening temperatures and the threat of rain did little to dampen the energy and excitement of Toreros who attended a late February “Farewell to the Field” event at USD’s Valley Field.

Located adjacent to first- and second-year student housing in an area known as The Valley, the Valley Field is a popular campus outdoor space that’s been home to events ranging from intramural football games to employee picnics — and just about everything in between — since it was constructed more than three decades ago. The event marked the end of an era, as the space is being closed and redeveloped into the eagerly anticipated USD Wellness Center and Basketball Practice Center.

A collaboration between the Torero Program Board and Campus Recreation, the event had a carnival-like atmosphere where attendees were treated to an assortment of rides, food and music.

“Our main purpose was to throw a big party for the students in a place that has been a really important part of USD life for decades,” said Torero Program Board Vice-Chair Jasmine Hersh. “We were a bit nervous that it would just be Valley residents who would show up, but I was really happy to see juniors and seniors come back to celebrate and say goodbye. I know it was bittersweet for some people, but the overall vibe was really heartwarming and positive.”

Without a doubt, saying goodbye to the Valley Field — and its well-traveled neighbor, the Valley Stairs with its 70 grueling steps — marks the end of an era at USD. And while they say that all good things must end … in this particular case, those good things are giving way to something great.

Slated for completion in August of 2024, the new Wellness Center will be USD’s state-ofthe-art nexus of health, wellness and community connection. Conveniently located, the threestory, 80,000-square-foot facility will sit near the main entrance of campus, at the crossroads between the academic area to the west and the residential and athletics areas to the east.

The center’s entrance and lobby will be located at street level, adjacent to the main campus entrance, parking structure, and Student Life Pavilion. This space will serve as the main thoroughfare to the center’s cardio and group fitness areas. The primary fitness area on the center’s third level will be the largest space on campus dedicated to exercise and physical well-being.

A wellness wing will be dedicated to supporting the mental and emotional resources needed for the challenges of college life and beyond. The fitness wing is the largest component of the Wellness Center. There, visitors will find extensive resources for a variety of physical exercises, activities and court-based sports, including the Basketball Practice Center.

Above all else, the Wellness Center is being built to provide students the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and that, according to Associate Vice President for University Operations André Hutchinson, is reason enough to be excited about what’s to come.

“The facility was created with the idea that it can help optimize our students’ experiences; not just with their physical development, but also with their development as a whole person. That’s what we are committed to here at USD, and this facility will support that mission.”

[10th anniversary]