By Mairead McKeron

The 2009-2010 school-year for Loyola University Maryland has come with many changes. A history-making name change from “college” to “university” took place in September, the first of many improvements for the school.

More recently, the athletic department has seen improvements, the main one being the opening of a new athletic facility. The grand opening of The Reverend Harold Ridley, S.J., Athletic Complex took place on Saturday, March 13, 2010. The new complex, which cost $62 million to construct, has 6,000 seats, concession stands, and a video score board. While these aspects are definitely favored by the fans, there are also many improvements for the athletes as well. The sports complex has multiple locker rooms forLoyola teams as well as visitors. The main field, Awalt Field, is made up of high quality synthetic turf. In addition, athletes are also able to utilize a practice field, named in memory of Sean Lugano, class of 1995. Lugano, who played rugby for Loyola, died in the World Trade Center Attacks on September 11, 2001.

On March 13, Awalt Field and the Sean Lugano Memorial field were blessed by Archbishop O’Brien. Loyola University Maryland President Father Linnane, Governor Martin O’Malley, and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also gave speeches during the dedication ceremony. Despite torrential downpour, the Loyola community made it out to the stadium for the grand opening and tosupport the men’s lacrosse team. Loyola student and die-hard lacrosse fan, Anna Cassella, said, “The new stadium was such a step up from the Diane Geppi-AikensField. It created an environment that made both players and fans excited about the sport.” Fans adorned in Loyola Super Fans gear displayed this renewed school spirit with their loud cheers and upbeat attitudes.

At 3 p.m., Loyola’s men’s lacrosse team took on Duke; the first of many games to be played on the new stadium grounds. Loyola’s NCAA Division I lacrosse and soccer teams will use the complex as their home field. While the outcome of the game was not in Loyola’s favor, as they lost 8-5, there are sure to be many memories made at this new stadium. With the new stadium comes a new attitudefrom athletes, fans, and the Loyola community as a whole.