The new, bleacher-filled temporary Varsity Field is something I was hoping to find problems with. As both a former Yeoman and Blues football player, I’ve seen my share of stadium upheavals.
I played for York the first year that they moved from old Esther Shiner stadium to their current location, and the temporary field that was erected in the interim was horrible. The field itself was fine, but the lack of atmosphere, the open space, and the 300-yard walk from the dressing rooms were all things I wholeheartedly hated.
The next year’s switch to U of T, and playing at the old Varsity Stadium, was an eye opening experience. Everything about the facility, from its centrality on campus to the historic character, reminded me of playing in the great, ancient college football stadiums in the United States. Can you imagine if Notre Dame University ever tore down their stadium in South Bend? That’s how I felt about the decision to demolish Varsity Stadium.
Sure, the pipes over my football locker used to leak, when it rained some of the guys would have an inch of water in their lockers, and the roof of the showers in our dressing room was collapsing; but, every time I looked at my locker, I could see “Sturino, ’93” carved into the wood. That, is irreplaceable.
Queen’s campus radio host Steve Bierk, who was covering the Gaels/ Blues game this past Saturday, shared similar thoughts. “A lot of people want to know why it is gone, and where all the alumni and administration were when it was decided to tear it down. The general feeling is that the Argos should have played here, like McGill and the Montreal Alouettes. It was the most beautiful stadium in the OUA, and there seems to be a real sense of loss.”
However, the feeling I got from the new Varsity Field was not as negative as I had expected. Ignoring the game that went on, I looked around and felt the same old shivers I had felt when I played on the same spot. U of T coach Steve Howlett noted after the game that “the ghosts of Varsity are definitely here.” I cannot, despite a want to disagree, argue with his claims.
The field is a lot different than the old stadium. It possesses little of the antiquated charm that the stadium had in spades. However, it is a really nice place to watch a game. Despite the pup-tent look of the press box, and the “trailer park” of portable dressing rooms, I really do think that the new Varsity Field is a great, albeit temporary, solution for bringing U of T sports back onto campus.
Blues running back Templar Iga concurred. “This field serves its purpose well. It’s really good for this season, and it says a lot about the renewed interested from the school, because they put the money up.”
This is yet another unappreciated aspect to this field. Despite all the negative attention the U of T administration has garnered over the past few years, this field represents a gesture from the “powers that be.” The school is demonstrating a renewed commitment to football and athletics in general. The money and haste put into completing the field speaks volumes for the athletics infrastructure, and those who run it, at this school.
While I will continue to miss the old Varsity, and the daily physical realities that are now memories, I must commend the school on the new field. I truly hope that this time, they continue to follow through on the promise to renew Varsity, and the Blues, to their former prominence.
