Kiss Franklin Field goodbye.
That's right, Penn's storied athletic facility, known for the Penn Relays it hosts every April, began undergoing demolition yesterday afternoon.
The project is an initiative of the Philadelphia Committee for the Pursuit of the Olympic Games, or PCPOG, and is meant to strengthen the city's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. A new state-of-the-art athletic complex, for use during the 31st Olympiad, is slated to be built at the location.
Penn athletic administrators and PCPOG members said they didn't make this decision easily, though. Deliberations lasted several months, and the final decision to go ahead with the demolition was only made last week.
"We realize the traditions surrounding Franklin Field, but also feel we can create new history in Philadelphia by hosting the Olympics here," committee Chairman Gary Paige said.
By the terms of a deal struck between Penn and the committee, city tax revenues will be used for the entire construction project.
The University, though, will take possession of the stadium at the conclusion of the games and then be able to use it for all sporting events.
"Franklin Field is pretty old anyway," athletic spokesman Steve Bilsky said. "This way, we're getting a new athletic facility for free."
In the meantime, all sports will move their home games to fields located in Fairmount Park.
Football coach Al Bagnoli doesn't think that the move will be a negative one.
"While it is a shame, a smaller facility will suffice for now," Bagnoli said. "It's not like the stands are filled during games anyway."
Many athletes, though, are upset about the change.
"This is my last year playing football at Penn," junior runningback Joe Sandberg said. "When I run for 200 yards against Dartmouth, I want to do it in front of a crowd."
Former Eagles Hall of Fame center and linebacker Chuck Bednarik is also angry about the destruction. Before going crazy, selling his 1960 Championship ring and even rooting against his former team in Super Bowl XXXIX, Bednarik and the Philadelphia team called Franklin Field their home.
"These young guys these days think they can change everything," he said. "When I used to play, we didn't need big Olympic contracts, we played for the love of the game."
Penn's star distance runner, Courtney Jaworski, was also furious.
"I only get one chance in the spotlight in April," the outspoken Jaworski said. "Now I'll have to settle for torching slow, unathletic, Ivy League guys at some other place. At least I will get to play here in 2016 when I'm the fastest 800-meter runner in the world."
It's not just athletes that are upset about this, though.
"I love Franklin Field; I'm hoping this protest will drawn national media coverage," college junior Ben Smith said.
Also affected will be the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
The 107-year-old facility will join its neighbor across South Street, as it is also scheduled to be demolished at the end of this month. In its place will be an accompanying training complex, complete with a sauna/whirlpool/massage-therapy rehabilitation center.
The ancient artifacts that the museum houses will temporarily be moved to David Rittenhouse Labs rooms A1 through A4.
Coach Fran Dunphy's basketball team won't be affected by the demolition, and he says he knows it will be done well.
"Philadelphia is a very good city, and I have a lot of respect for the people who run it," he said.
A new name for the complexes hasn't been determined yet. Penn administrators are considering opening up the decision to the student body through a vote on Penn inTouch, but details have not yet been finalized.
