March, ceremony highlight field dedication

Harrington Field on the south campus of Western Washington University was formally dedicated Saturday, Sept. 27, between games involving the Viking men's and women's soccer teams.

Before the ceremony, the WWU women beat Western Oregon University, 1-0. And before a record crowd of 1,179, the men lost 1-0 to Montana State University Billings.

The new field project was made possible in part because of a $1 million gift from WWU alumnus Scott Harrington and his family. Harrington graduated in 1998 from Western's accounting program and played soccer for the Vikings.

The field is formally known as the Robert S. Harrington Field in honor of Scott's father, the late Robert Harrington, in recognition of the family's gift.

Before the ceremony, 500 WWU soccer scarves were handed out to students at the Wade King Recreation Center Flag Plaza. From there students, cheerleaders and the WWU Viking band marched to the field for the dedication and the men's game.

The facility has an all-weather Astro Turf surface, bleacher seating for 500, and lighting for night use. It has allowed WWU to have soccer games on campus for the first time since 2000.