2008 Woodie Awards
Growth of Suffolk stunted in athletics
Mary McCrossan
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports
In 1991, the Suffolk University Athletic Department opened the Ridgeway Building on Cambridge Street, a facility whose resources were adequate to meet the needs of the student population at the time. However, with the recent onset of massive growth at the school and school population specifically, and the continued high expectations of student athletes, the building that Athletic Director James Nelson once referred to as "the Taj Mahal" seems to be bursting at the seams.
Though Coach Nelson still has great affection for the facility, he believes that it is time to start looking ahead to expansion opportunities.
"Time and circumstance now dictate that new and state-of-the- art resources be a concern and a call for moving forward," said Nelson. "Over the past 17 years, the Suffolk community has grown to over 5000 undergraduate students with the biggest number of incoming Freshman this past year... It's only in the best interest of the school to explore a greater opportunity of gymnasium space and recreation space as well."
The school has expanded (and continues to expand) in different departments as needed, but nothing has been solidified in terms of plans for expansion of the athletic facilities.
Nelson and University President David Sargent would like to provide expanded resources for the students and student athletes within the university community.
"At this time we have had some discussion with the city of Boston to provide a private partnership to update and modernize a 'City of Boston Field,' primarily at the University's expense," said Nelson.
With this field, the hope is that Suffolk would be the primary user during the academic year. Although this investigation looks promising to build upon, nothing firm has been established by Suffolk or the city.
It's been rumored that one potential piece of real estate that might be obtained for expansion is City Hall Plaza. Coach Nelson stated that, "any property in proximity to our campus is always an option that we wish to explore, but there is nothing of substance at this point."
Though Coach Nelson still has great affection for the facility, he believes that it is time to start looking ahead to expansion opportunities.
"Time and circumstance now dictate that new and state-of-the- art resources be a concern and a call for moving forward," said Nelson. "Over the past 17 years, the Suffolk community has grown to over 5000 undergraduate students with the biggest number of incoming Freshman this past year... It's only in the best interest of the school to explore a greater opportunity of gymnasium space and recreation space as well."
The school has expanded (and continues to expand) in different departments as needed, but nothing has been solidified in terms of plans for expansion of the athletic facilities.
Nelson and University President David Sargent would like to provide expanded resources for the students and student athletes within the university community.
"At this time we have had some discussion with the city of Boston to provide a private partnership to update and modernize a 'City of Boston Field,' primarily at the University's expense," said Nelson.
With this field, the hope is that Suffolk would be the primary user during the academic year. Although this investigation looks promising to build upon, nothing firm has been established by Suffolk or the city.
It's been rumored that one potential piece of real estate that might be obtained for expansion is City Hall Plaza. Coach Nelson stated that, "any property in proximity to our campus is always an option that we wish to explore, but there is nothing of substance at this point."
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