LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell field hockey program officially opened a new chapter on Saturday when the Bison hosted Patriot League rival Holy Cross in the very first game played at the brand new Graham Field.

Named in honor of lead donor William Graham '62, the artificial turf facility, located at the West Fields complex, provides a state-of-the-art playing surface that will impact Bucknell's entire athletics and recreation program.

Graham and his wife, Frances, were on campus Friday evening for a formal dedication ceremony at the Langone Athletics and Recreation Center, presided over by university president Steffen H. Rogers, and the Grahams took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the Bucknell-Holy Cross field hockey game on Saturday.

"Bucknell has a long tradition of outstanding athletic programs," said Rogers. "We take special pride in our scholar-athletes and seek to offer them the finest possible facilities for every sport, be it varsity or recreational. Thanks to the outstanding support of Bill Graham, the new Astroturf field will help continue our tradition and be home to many great Bison athletes and teams."

"Thanks to the wonderful generosity of Bill Graham, Bucknell University is now proud to have a state-of-the-art artificial playing surface that will enhance our entire athletics and recreation program," said John Hardt, director of athletics and recreation. "In particular, we expect the impact of Graham Field on our field hockey and women's lacrosse programs to be tremendous, from both recruiting and competitive standpoints."

While the facility will also become the home of the Bucknell women's lacrosse team this spring, as well as house additional athletics practices, intramural contests and recreation activities, Graham Field's most immediate impact will be felt by the Bison field hockey team. Now able to join the vast majority of collegiate field hockey programs that play on artificial turf, Bucknell should no longer be at the recruiting disadvantage it felt while playing on grass.

Senior field hockey co-captain Lindsay Gentel, head women's lacrosse coach Randall Flynn, senior lacrosse player Amy Hafets and senior recreational athlete Ben Pfeiffer joined Lewis in expressing to Graham words of gratitude at the dedication ceremony.

"Words cannot even begin to express our appreciation for Bill Graham and his generosity towards Bucknell women's athletics, and specifically the field hockey program," 12th-year head coach Heather Lewis said at Friday's ceremony. "His gift will leave an everlasting impression on not only our current group of student-athletes, but also all those who came before them to help build the foundation of our program."

In addition to the turf field project, Graham has also made generous contributions to the Bucknell club-varsity wrestling program and to the Bucknell women's athletics program.

The Astroturf 12XL playing surface at Graham Field measures 240' by 372', with future phases of the project planned to include a natural grass competition soccer venue, team support areas, stadium seating, spectator amenities and a joint press box.

Thanks to Bill Graham, this weekend's special activities will long be remembered as the start of a new era for Bison athletics and recreation.