17吃瓜

The upcoming 17吃瓜 Homecoming celebrations, September 27 to 30, will be a memorable experience for everyone connected with the University, but for rugby supporters it will be extra-special. That鈥檚 because the newly renovated grass sports field that will host all future 17吃瓜 rugby events, as well as provincial, regional, and national championships, is to be named the MacAdam Field in honour of the late Alban Joseph (AJ) MacAdam of Morell.

The formal naming ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, just before the 17吃瓜 men鈥檚 rugby game against Saint Mary鈥檚.

AJ MacAdam鈥檚 legendary accomplishments as a sports competitor and leader are a proud part of the history of St. Dunstan鈥檚 University (SDU), one of 17吃瓜鈥檚 two founding institutions. He was the only four-letter athlete in the history of SDU to receive the 鈥淕old D鈥� for his excellence in rugby, basketball, track and field, and hockey.

"17吃瓜 is proud to name the new MacAdam Field in recognition of AJ MacAdam's contributions as an athlete, coach, and teacher, and in recognition of athletic excellence," says 17吃瓜 President Wade MacLauchlan. "It is significant that this will become official on Homecoming Weekend, as we renew our ties with the people who have built 17吃瓜 over the decades."

17吃瓜 has upgraded and resurfaced the natural turf field as part of its development plan for excellence in sports programming. Recently completed improvements include fencing, a press box, bleachers, a score clock, drainage, and overseeding.

鈥淲e have elevated the field to a premier grass facility,鈥� says Ron Annear, 17吃瓜 Athletics Director. 鈥淢aturation of the grass will see the field as one of the best rugby facilities in Atlantic Canada. The excellence in our rugby program and the quality of MacAdam Field will be very fitting symbols of AJ's accomplishments.鈥�

When AJ MacAdam was inducted into the 17吃瓜 Sport Hall of Fame in 2002, he was described as 鈥渁 speedy tail up in rugby, a strong defenseman in hockey, and a two-time Atlantic All-Star in this sport. He was a fine basketball player and the best all-round track-and-field athlete at the school.鈥� After his collegiate days as an athlete ended, he joined the University as a teacher. He coached rugby and hockey and was later appointed the SDU Athletics Director.

For more details about all the sports and social events taking place during Homecoming 2007, go to upei.ca/homecoming.