Tractors began to tear up the previously rut-filled surface of the University's primary athletic field last Monday, clearing the way for athletes to play on a new, artificial surface when they return in the fall.The renovation, which will be accompanied by installation of the infrastructure for a new track surface and the electronic conduits that will lay the framework for a later installation of field lights, is the first phase of what Athletic Director Sheryl Sousa hopes will be many improvements to athletic facilities.

"It has been made very, very clear ... that we do have to pay attention to the facilities for the athletic programs," Peter French, the University's chief operating officer, said. "We are going to try to continue every year to have some kind of incremental improvement."

French announced the plans for Gordon Field in a letter to the community on April 9.

The second phase of the upgrades includes the pouring of a new track surface by the beginning of the 2006-2007 academic year, while the installation of actual field lights and expanded bleachers are being considered for later phases.

"I think it's fair to say the spotlight is on the athletic facilities," French said.

Sousa described the current portion of the project as a "Band-Aid" fix, explaining that the phase plan, spread over several years, is appropriate given that the total cost will likely top $5 million.

"I think it's going to have an impact way beyond our varsity soccer program in terms of our ability to have more flexibility with intramurals and to be able to provide more access to club teams. It's going to be a campus facility," she said.

French said that the first phase's $1.2 million budget is funded from an accumulation of unassigned capital gifts as well as the University's 2006 fiscal budget. He has also committed a portion of the school's 2007 fiscal budget to cover the cost of laying the track surface, a project that will cost between $300,000 and $400,000.

"This has been a top priority" for senior administrators "for a long time," French said. "It just made sense given that the money was available."

The synthetic surface that will cover Gordon Field is manufactured by A-Turf, a Williamsville, N.Y., based company that manufactures athletic fields and specialty indoor athletic facilities.

Daniel Feldman, the associate vice president for planning, design and construction, said that the University conducted a thorough review process to identify the best surface, researching the available surfaces, making site visits and hiring a consultant.

Men's soccer coach Mike Coven was enthusiastic about the new surface and compared it to fields at Tufts University and Washington University in St. Louis.

"It's wonderful," Coven said. "It looks and feels like real grass. It's going to benefit way beyond the soccer teams. It's going to benefit the entire community. Once it becomes a full stadium, I think the student body will come down to games and I think the whole environment will be first-class."

Coven had long been vocal in his disdain for the old Gordon Field, which he said was about 10 yards too narrow and 10 yards too short.

"Our field was a hindrance to us for years," he said. "You want to play attractive soccer, you want to play the ball on the ground. There were so many ruts and divots.... It was a depressing place to play a game."

French's announcement, which came after weeks of rumors among athletes, was one of a few recent signs that point to an administration that appears to be growing more committed to athletics.

In her first year as athletic director, Sousa has lengthened gym hours, renovated the Rieger outdoor tennis courts and hired Tom Rand as an assistant athletic director to manage club and intramural sports.

While Eddy could not be reached for comment, both Sousa and Coven credit her for recognizing the importance of athletics.

"I've been here 32 years and I've never seen a stronger commitment from the administration," Coven said. "[Eddy] has made a tremendous commitment to the athletic program. She came in with the idea that a strong athletic program would create some school spirit and really create an atmosphere among the student body that is very positive."

Both French and Sousa said that there is still much to be done. Though they said more expensive projects, such as the renovation Linsey Pool, will likely require the facilitation of a donor, Sousa is confident that the facility upgrades will continue.

"I'm going to keep at it until it's complete and keep chipping away at it," Sousa said.