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In With the New

Biddle Field locker rooms razed to make room for Durden Athletic Training Center

February 7, 2013


A crowd of 100 spectators gathered on a chilly February morning to watch the first pieces of the outgoing Biddle Field locker-room facilities crumble and fall to the ground, paving the way for the new Durden Athletic Training Center.

 

Funded by a $6 million gift from Sam Rose '58 and his wife, Julie Walters, the new 22,000-square-foot Durden Center took one step closer to becoming a reality, and Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Communications and Dean of Admissions Stephanie Balmer addressed the audience.

"Although the space has been maintained over the last 36 years, it has not remained competitive in our recruitment of student athletes," Balmer said of the single-story brick structure, fenced off and awaiting demolition. "We continue to attract top talent, and it is exciting to now have a facility that enables our student-athletes and the entire campus community to enjoy the trajectory of Dickinson athletics."

Built in 1962 and expanded in 1974 with funds provided by the Washington Redskins (who used the facilities for pre-season practice), the Biddle Field locker rooms now fade into Dickinson's past as part of the ongoing facilities-enhancement effort, whose other projects include the recently completed Dr. Inge P. Stafford Greenhouse for Teaching and Research, Phyllis Joan Miller Memorial Field and an expansion to the Rector Science Complex that will be completed in fall 2013.

"This is a momentous occasion for Dickinson Athletics, as we are here to honor and support our Red Devil teams and their successes in the classroom and on the field," Balmer told the crowd. "We are also here to honor the spirit of philanthropy and alumni support of our college, and this project would not be possible if it were not for the generosity of Sam Rose and his wife, Julie Walters."

Named to honor the tenure of President William G. Durden ’71 and his wife, Dr. Elke Durden, the Durden Center will feature separate locker rooms for men's and women's lacrosse, football, field hockey and coaches, officials and visiting teams; a strength-training and free-weight room; sports-medicine facilities; and an exhibition area to honor Dickinson athletics. 

Learn more about the Durden Athletic Training Center and how alumni can support the construction effort.

Photo by Carl Socolow '77


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  • Director of Athletics Les Poolman kicked off the event, an artist's rendition of the new Durden Athletic Training Center at the ready.
    Les Poolman
  • Dickinson football legend Ben James '34 was front and center at the event. Here he chats with Cindy Grove, senior administrative assistant for physical education and athletics.
    Ben James '34
  • Stephanie Balmer,vice president for enrollment, marketing & communications and dean of admissions, told the crowd, "We are confident that this will be a leading Division III athletics training center and will position Dickinson even more competitively in the Centennial Conference." 
    Dean Balmer
  • The audience moved onto Belvedere St. to witness the initial stage of the demolition.
    Heavy Equipment
  • Local news crews and the Dickinson community attended the event, which inspired countless photo opps.
    Taking Pictures
  • The Durden Center's dramatic entrance, depicted in this architectural rendering, will face Biddle Field.
    Durden Center
  • An artist's rendition shows one of the future locker rooms within the Durden Athletic Training Center.
    Locker Room
  • The future sports-medicine center comes to life in this artist's rendition.
    Sports Medicine
  • With the new Durden Center come new facilities enhancements, such as the workout room depicted in this artist's rendition.
    Workout Room
Director of Athletics Les Poolman kicked off the event, an artist's rendition of the new Durden Athletic Training Center at the ready.Prev ImageNext Image