Fauver Field is one of the many locations on campus that will undergo major changes as part of the University’s master plan. Currently a field used for athletic games and occasional Frisbee throwing, and also the regular site of each freshman year’s class photo, it will soon become the site of a new dorm scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2005. The new dorm will include two buildings, one housing freshman and one for upperclassmen.
Tucked between WestCo and Nic 7, Fauver Field is a sunken plot of land that is unimposing and unnoticeable from the road. At the top of the hill that descends into the grassy level area, a plaque commemorates the field.
“Named in affectionate memory of Edgar Fauver, MD, who served with distinction as a member of the Wesleyan faculty from 1907 to 1946,” the plaque reads. It also lists Fauver’s positions as teacher, coach and college physician.
“Doc” Fauver, as he was known, developed a complete system of intramural sports at Wesleyan, starting with basketball matches between fraternities and classes and then expanding to other sports, according to Wesleyan history records. Fauver also wrote a history of Wesleyan athletics in 1931.
The field is bordered by scraggly trees along the corner of Cross and Vine streets. Sometimes it is littered with a few beer bottles and plastic cups; not altogether a pristine location, it is, nevertheless, an appreciated home for the Wesleyan rugby teams, who say that they will miss it.
“I think that the field was a vital part to the rugby teams,” said Ben Russo ’06, who plays on the men’s rugby team. “People passing by would stop and watch for a while. Since we’re moving to Long Lane, I don’t think that’ll happen as much.”
Sarah Rosenberg, a member of the Wesleyan rugby team, agrees.
“I’ll absolutely miss the field,” she said. “It’s a really central location. It puts us in the middle of campus, so a lot of people coming out of WestCo or Mocon come and watch our games.”
But, Russo said, he is still interested to see what the new dorms will be like and is looking forward to having a practice space with other sports teams.
Even some students who are not on a rugby team say they will miss the space. Kathy Michelmore ’07 dislikes the idea of the new housing for freshman and upperclassmen.
“I don’t like the idea of these new dorms,” she said. “I don’t think upper classmen should live in dorms. Besides, Fauver Field is a great field for the rugby team. It shouldn’t be changed.”
Tamar Greenspan ’06 has mixed feelings about the construction.
“It’ll be sad for the incoming frosh not to be able to take their picture on the hill since that’s the traditional spot for it,” she said. “But besides that and the fact that I like to stop by and watch the sexy rugby players, I don’t think that it’s a great loss to the campus.”
Harrison Peck ’07 is sure he will not miss the field.
“I think it’s a good idea to have more housing close to campus,” he said. It would give Wesleyan more of a community feel. And I personally have not been to Fauver Field since the first day of school.“
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