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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Mar 18, 2022 16:17:25 GMT -5
A bit of news from a webinar today.
Reconstruction of the field hockey field and the outdoor track that circles the field hockey field will start at the conclusion of track season this spring. Both get new artificial surfaces. Construction should be complete by second week of September. It would be done by late August but the college is installing a new "irrigation" system as part of this project. It may be that the source for this information is confusing "irrigation" with "drainage". If indeed "irrigation" is correct, that system may be for other fields.
Now word on the new softball field, and the new combination soccer / lacrosse field with expanded seating.
Cost of the field hockey and track surface is $1.5 million. _________________ Kit has given the okay for camps this summer. Uncertain whether these will be day camps or overnight camps. ________________ Because the new field hockey field is unavailable for the start of the competitive season, field hockey will play @ Stanford University and @ University of California, Davis at the end of august. I don't know whether this game against the Cardinal is a first-time ever for any HC team.
Field hockey will apparently be recruiting more international players. (I looked at St. Mary's roster last night: eight players from foreign countries.) Kit Hughes wife played field hockey in college.
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Post by bfoley82 on Mar 18, 2022 17:09:56 GMT -5
A bit of news from a webinar today. Reconstruction of the field hockey field and the outdoor track that circles the field hockey field will start at the conclusion of track season this spring. Both get new artificial surfaces. Construction should be complete by second week of September. It would be done by late August but the college is installing a new "irrigation" system as part of this project. It may be that the source for this information is confusing "irrigation" with "drainage". If indeed "irrigation" is correct, that system may be for other fields. Now word on the new softball field, and the new combination soccer / lacrosse field with expanded seating. Cost of the field hockey and track surface is $1.5 million. _________________ Kit has given the okay for camps this summer. Uncertain whether these will be day camps or overnight camps. ________________ Because the new field hockey field is unavailable for the start of the competitive season, field hockey will play @ Stanford University and @ University of California, Davis at the end of august. I don't know whether this game against the Cardinal is a first-time ever for any HC team. Field hockey will apparently be recruiting more international players. (I looked at St. Mary's roster last night: eight players from foreign countries.) Kit Hughes wife played field hockey in college. Stanford and UC-Davis are both members of America East in field hockey.
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Post by Crucis#1 on Mar 18, 2022 17:26:01 GMT -5
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Post by Crucis#1 on Mar 18, 2022 17:37:40 GMT -5
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Post by timholycross on Mar 18, 2022 18:54:39 GMT -5
Check out their arena. Superb small (cap 4,500) facility.
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Post by bfoley82 on Mar 18, 2022 18:59:09 GMT -5
Check out their arena. Superb small (cap 4,500) facility. I shot their first ever D-1 road win in MBB! (Just a random factoid)
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Post by alum on Mar 18, 2022 19:44:34 GMT -5
As long as the turf field isn’t. Would be scary like Boise football field
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Mar 18, 2022 19:46:04 GMT -5
The new field hockey field is lush green, the sideline and backline areas are royal purple. I think a royal purple track would be hideous, like E. Washington's red football field.
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Post by bfoley82 on Mar 18, 2022 19:59:25 GMT -5
As long as the turf field isn’t. Would be scary like Boise football field Lowell has a blue field hockey turf inside their track. Isn't the title of this thread wrong? The field and track are just being replaced.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Mar 19, 2022 8:00:45 GMT -5
As long as the turf field isn’t. Would be scary like Boise football field Lowell has a blue field hockey turf inside their track. Isn't the title of this thread wrong? The field and track are just being replaced. Foley, read carefully, and recall all your wisdom about construction schedules. It does not take 12-14 weeks to replace the 'rug'. They are starting the first week in June and hope to be done by the second week of September. I wrote that I believe the source misspoke when describing a new "irrigation" system. I believe the source meant a new drainage system so the field doesn't puddle when its raining. Of course, I could be ignorant in not knowing that the newest, state-of-the-art artificial surfaces need to be watered regularly. That indeed would require an irrigation system. But I think not. If the whole field is being dug up, including whatever subsurface drainage currently exists, and removed, AND a new subsurface drainage system AND a new rug installed, then I consider that to be a "new" field. If it was just the 'rug', then I would consider that to be a new surface, And if it was just the rug and a new irrigation system, then I would also consider that to be a new surface. If you threw out your old refrigerator, and bought a new one to replace it, would you go around calling it 'my replacement 'fridge'?
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Mar 19, 2022 8:33:24 GMT -5
I think the coach means de-watering system.
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Post by bfoley82 on Mar 19, 2022 8:59:41 GMT -5
Lowell has a blue field hockey turf inside their track. Isn't the title of this thread wrong? The field and track are just being replaced. Foley, read carefully, and recall all your wisdom about construction schedules. It does not take 12-14 weeks to replace the 'rug'. They are starting the first week in June and hope to be done by the second week of September. I wrote that I believe the source misspoke when describing a new "irrigation" system. I believe the source meant a new drainage system so the field doesn't puddle when its raining. Of course, I could be ignorant in not knowing that the newest, state-of-the-art artificial surfaces need to be watered regularly. That indeed would require an irrigation system. But I think not. If the whole field is being dug up, including whatever subsurface drainage currently exists, and removed, AND a new subsurface drainage system AND a new rug installed, then I consider that to be a "new" field. If it was just the 'rug', then I would consider that to be a new surface, And if it was just the rug and a new irrigation system, then I would also consider that to be a new surface. If you threw out your old refrigerator, and bought a new one to replace it, would you go around calling it 'my replacement 'fridge'? Field Hockey fields are watered down before and at halftime by large sprinkler systems. Your source was right about watering.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Mar 19, 2022 10:41:04 GMT -5
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Post by hcgrad94 on Mar 19, 2022 11:37:01 GMT -5
Watered turf for FH has been that way for years. HC was bringing out a water cannon to manually water, but by doing it this (expensive) way, it automates things.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jun 16, 2022 6:47:41 GMT -5
New playing fields on top of the hill are a Kit priority. These will be for nine sports: M/W lacrosse; M/W soccer; M/W outdoor track & field; softball; field hockey; football practice. The college is proceeding with the plan originally developed during MB's tenure.
Which is: a.) new artificial turf surface for both soccer and lacrosse, with expanded seating at Smith Field to 3,000 and improved press box. b.) moving softball from bottom of the hill to top of the hill, with artificial surface. c.) new surface for field hockey field and running track (construction now underway, to be completed by September, cost $3 million) d.) replace artificial surface at Fr. K. field. e.) relocate venues for some field events for track and field f.) new spectator amenities.
Current cost estimate is $16-18 million. (This apparently does not include the $3 million being spent on the field hockey field and outdoor running track.)
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jun 16, 2022 9:11:51 GMT -5
Sounds like a major commitment to athletics
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Post by bfoley82 on Jun 16, 2022 10:19:09 GMT -5
Watered turf for FH has been that way for years. HC was bringing out a water cannon to manually water, but by doing it this (expensive) way, it automates things. I sometimes forget about the water at halftime and had some close calls...
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jun 16, 2022 10:24:57 GMT -5
Kit's strategy for increasing interest and attendance from the Greater Worcester population is to conduct clinics, and more clinics, and even more clinics. These clinics need to focus on students before they reach high school, because, in his view, once they reach high school, the behavior and relative level of interest is set. Ergo, you need stands in you want spectators in the seats.
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Post by hcgrad94 on Jun 16, 2022 16:54:36 GMT -5
What clinics is HC doing that you think are aimed at this?
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Post by timholycross on Jun 17, 2022 6:31:09 GMT -5
One company who've done a few fields in the area is this one www.chenangocontracting.com ....from a suburb of Binghamton, NY (yeah, when I saw the name Chenango I thought of Colgate U; but they're 70 miles away from there)
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jun 17, 2022 8:18:47 GMT -5
What clinics is HC doing that you think are aimed at this? Kit did not say, but given he wants the clinics to be focused on kids who are in elementary and middle school, the sports are likely to be youth sports played at the community level in Greater Worcester. I think the expectation is that participants (and their parents) will develop a greater affinity for, and interest in HC athletics, even for sports that are not included in the clinics. Kit has reminded people more than once that he played youth hockey at the Hart rink 30 years ago.
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Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Jun 17, 2022 9:44:08 GMT -5
Very good that Hughes realizes developing a local, younger fanbase is sorely needed. This has been ignored for decades now at HC, and all Kit needed to see to realize this is one walk around the Hart on a game nite.
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Post by sader1970 on Jun 17, 2022 11:26:13 GMT -5
It helps that Kit has 3 young boys who have not reached teens yet and a 14 year old daughter.
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Post by longsuffering on Jun 17, 2022 12:51:59 GMT -5
Reviews of personal interactions with Kit have all been positive so far. His first major issue, the Chesney contract extension, was handled flawlessly. Criticism of his MBB Coach non-action was muted and brief. I'll give him an A as he approaches his six month anniversary.
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Post by hc6774 on Jun 18, 2022 9:42:31 GMT -5
Very good that Hughes realizes developing a local, younger fanbase is sorely needed. This has been ignored for decades now at HC, and all Kit needed to see to realize this is one walk around the Hart on a game nite. a bit of a different approach to the local fan base soldierstosidelines.orgscroll down for July 15 coaches' clinic at HC
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