Hovey Field Dedicated

 

The synthetic field is located adjacent to the lower fields and features four light towers, sloped lawn seating and a customized Westminster crest. The $1.8 million cost of the project was funded entirely through gifts from alumni, parents and friends of the Hoveys.
 

Hov and Jenks spent 37 years at Westminster, when as a member of the faculty, Hov taught math and English, served as dean of students, corridor supervisor, head of the work program and coach of numerous sports including head football coach and head boys’ lacrosse coach.
 

“This is a special venue for Westminster for all sorts of reasons,” said Headmaster Bill Philip in welcoming everyone to the dedication. “It is a beautiful natural amphitheater that has lights for night games, and it will be used for field hockey, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse and boys’ and girls’ soccer. It is also a community venue, and community is at the core of what Westminster is all about.”
 

He thanked those who helped bring the field to completion and those who supported the field with their generous gifts. “Your support for this field and your support for the Hovey family have made this possible,” he said. “Thank you so much for being here today.
 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Tread Mink ’77, P’11 thanked Hov and Jenks “for all they have done for Westminster and us as individuals.” He also recalled memories of them during his time as a student. He concluded by saying, “You had a way with Westminster students that made them feel they could do more, push harder, go beyond what a typical ninth through 12th grader would do, and you did it because you truly cared, and you did it with a lot of Grit and Grace. Hovey Field is a place for current and future students, parents and coaches to carry on the Hovey spirit and create their own fond and lasting memories.”
 

On behalf of the Hovey family, Dave Hovey ’78, P’09, ’11, ’14 thanked everyone for supporting the field and for attending the dedication. “It is unbelievable to see all of these familiar faces from decades of Westminster students, parents, faculty and colleagues,” he exclaimed. He then expressed appreciation to members of the Westminster community and family friends for attending the event. He also thanked those who helped bring the project to completion.
 

Standing at the podium amid a thunderous applause, Hov began his remarks by emphasizing, “I have had a lot of honors throughout the years, but this is great, since it is about Jenks and me. For that we are eternally grateful.” He added that Jenks had played both field hockey and lacrosse. He also expressed how very pleased he was to have the field as a lasting memory for the Hoveys.
 

Reflecting on the new field prior to the dedication, he described how amazed he was by everyone who gave to the project and by the loyalty of everyone who was returning to Westminster for the dedication. “This whole thing has been first class, and we are very proud to be a part of it.”