Saturday, October 23, 2010
GFA Celebrates Homecoming AND the Opening of New Athletic Facilities
Eight new tennis courts and a new baseball infield went into play for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Janet Hartwell, Head of School, cut the ribbon with Board member
Steve Lawrence, and Director of Athletics Tauni Butterfield. Hundreds of GFA friends, alumni and families stood in the sunshine to watch the opening ceremony.
Mike Greenberg from ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning show and a GFA parent was the emcee. Willie Upshaw, former Major League Baseball player and the manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish, came to throw out the first pitch. GFA grad Marc Powers '09 told the crowd he was "a little bit envious" of the beautiful courts. Powers plays number one on the Yale tennis team and was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2010.
A celebrity tennis match with Powers, Michael Gallagher (GFA '04 and Colgate '08), parent Stew Leonard and broadcaster Mike Greenberg inaugurated the courts. Meanwhile, Willie Upshaw gave batting clinics on the new baseball field, helped by GFA's Francis Herman '10, who now plays baseball for Trinity College.
GFA alumni played soccer and renewed friendships during the Homecoming festivities, and GFA dominated King in their home games.