Rivier College Blesses New Turf Field

Nashua, NH – On Saturday, September 19, Raiders players and fans had more to be thankful for than just the glorious fall weather. Rivier students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and family gathered for a ceremony to bless the College's recently turfed athletic field.

Athletes from Rivier’s men's and women's soccer teams and field hockey team joined field hockey players from visiting Husson University to encircle the large Raiders logo at center field while Athletic Director Joanne Merrill welcomed all in attendance. President William Farrell spoke next, explaining some of the intricacies of the field including the new energy efficient lights that were installed as part of the field renovation project.

Rivier College Chaplain Brother Paul Demers was introduced to bless the field. Brother Paul and Mary Jane Silvia, Director of Campus Ministry, led the community in prayer. "With joy and thanksgiving, O God, we gather to bless this renewed athletic field. We dedicate it to your honor and the glory of sports…Transform this land, eternal God, into a playing field on which respect for rules and the spirit of sportsmanship abide, imbue players and coaches alike with the knowledge that the most important goal is not the triumph, but the struggle—not the victory, as sweet as it may be, but the honor of representing our college," Brother Paul said.
The turf project was put in motion after the College announced the addition of three new sports teams, men’s and women’s lacrosse and field hockey. Rivier's natural grass field could not sustain the pounding of five total teams playing on its surface. These teams will be able to use the new field during times when a grass field would be unavailable. Rivier's first lacrosse game is scheduled to be played in February, an option now because the turf may be plowed clear of snow.

The entire turf project took just over four months to complete. Construction crews broke ground at the beginning of April and work continued through the first few weeks of August. The completion and blessing of the field officially kicks off a new era in Rivier College athletics.