Date Posted:13:43:28 06/17/04 Thu Author: sader1970 Subject: Re: New Jersey Reception In reply to:
NTKHC64
's message, "New Jersey Reception" on 22:15:31 06/15/04 Tue
Interesting bit of history there, NTK.
You are right about the field house coming from Quonset because that is one of my first memories of Holy Cross. I couldn't even tell you how old I was but had to be the very early 50's when my family went up to Worcester to visit relatives. My father was very good friends with Fr. Hart (he officiated at my parent's wedding) and he was telling my father how thrilled the school was to get the "Quonset Hut." I believe HC got it for free but had to pay for the transportation costs (I think that this is told in the book "Thy Honored Name").
"In January 1947 Fr. Healy received word that the Public Works Agency had committed to the College a surplus hangar from Camp Endicott, Rhode Island, that had been used as a drill and recreation hall. The government would bear the cost of taking the building down and reconstructing it on campus. He announced the plans in April. The 100 x 300 foot structure, which cost about $35,000 for site preparation, was built with a protruding lip on the base for the bricking that was added in 1955...When it opened in March 1948, the facility held four courts for intramural basketball, handball courts, athletic offices, and a refreshment stand. Although it was intended primarily for intramural sports, the building also contained a full basketball court, temporary grandstands for 2,000 spectators, and a permanent balcony that could accomodate about 100 more. Besides its athletic use, the fieldhouse provided the location of commencement, the junior and senior balls, and other large events." Thy Honored Name, pp. 315-316.
