Tropical Storm Irene certainly left its mark on the area, flooding roads, taking out bridges and cutting off power to some.
Luckily for local schools, athletic fields were, for the most part, spared. The exception is Cole Field at Williams College, which looked like a small lake Sunday afternoon.
When the Hoosic River flooded, so did Williams' soccer, baseball, softball and practice football fields. Many locals were out watching the murky water pour in through the fence, wondering if there would be major damage.
"This isn't the first time this has happened," Dick Quinn, Williams sports information director, said Monday. "I heard some bleachers were moved and there was a little bit of damage, but nothing big."
The football team is slated to begin practice this afternoon, but the team won't be at Cole Field, its usual home.
"We'll be fine," head coach Aaron Kelton said. "We're going to find a place to practice. We don't let a little water and dirt slow us down."
Kelton said he held a meeting Monday, and that it was decided the Ephs, who finished 8-0 in 2010, would have practice at Renzie Lamb Field instead. Williams' first home game, played at Weston Field, is Oct. 8 against Bates.
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, it appeared the field had lost most of the water, and crews were picking up debris.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts also was spared any major damage. Athletic Director Scott Nichols, reached by
The tough part, he said, was that the school sent many students home before the storm, and now they have to return by today. Fall athletes have their annual Blue and Gold Luncheon today at noon.
"The challenge was getting the kids back in time," Nichols said. "The school is fine and the fields are not bad. We're ready to play."
Molly Meczywor, Drury's athletic director, said aside from some bigger-than-normal puddles, all is well with the Blue Devils' fields and tracks.
McCann Tech was "basically untouched" according to Athletic Director Bob Guettler.
While a few ceiling tiles fell inside the school, Mount Greylock survived. Lindsey von Holtz said the school's athletics should not be affected.
"The main fields are fine," she said. "The front practice field has a puddle in it, but besides it being muddy and mushy, everything is OK."
Hoosac Valley is under renovations and its teams are practicing all throughout the area. Athletic Director Dayne Poirot was unable to be reached for comment.
Howard Herman contributed to this report.
Font Resize
