Program for the dedication of the Memorial Field House (June 12, 1948)
Description:
This is the program for the Dedication of the Memorial Field House, on the campus of Springfield College, that took place on June 12, 1948. It is for pages and contains information on the ceremonies, a list of alumni who died in World War II, and brief note on how the Memorial Field House came to Springfield College. In 1946, the Federal Work Agency distributed war time surplus for civilian use. Springfield College qualified for a drill hall. The drill hall was originally used at the Sampson Naval Training Facility, a basic training facility, in Sampson, New York. The government disassembled and transported the building to Springfield College. The cost to the college was projected at around $160,000 and the fundraising received more than $160,000 in the end. Because of the fundraising, Springfield College could provide a spacious court with seating space for 4000 spectators at its basketball and other indoor athletic classes, such as volleyball, handball, basketball, and badminton. The field house and was opened on February 21, 1948. On that day the first basketball game was held in the new arena, with Springfield College playing Providence College. William R. Chase, a member of the first group of men to play basketball in 1891, tossed the ceremonial first ball. The building was demolished in 1979 due to the fact that the wood arch could not meet minimum building code requirements. A new Physical Education Complex replaced the Memorial Field House, and was formally dedicated on October 30, 1981.
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