Saturday, September 27, 2014

Pioneers Play at Rosenbloom for First Time in '14

The Pioneers return to play at Rosenbloom for the first time in 2014.  In their 125 year history the Pioneers have played on two official home fields.  The accounts of the first game against Iowa describe a field west of the present day Forum, on the College's South Campus.
Ward Field, across from the North Campus dormitories.
The first official field though, was Ward Field, on Grinnell's North Campus.  Ward Field would eventually be bordered on the West by Mac Field and the North Campus dormitories and on the South by Darby Gymnasium.  Once the football team moved to their current location, Ward Field became the home to the men's soccer team at Grinnell, and is currently used for club and intramural sports.
Game action on Ward Field
In 1975 the Pioneers moved to their current location on the north side of 10th Avenue, Rosenbloom Field.  Named in honor of Virginia Whitney Rosenbloom '36 and Abe Rosenbloom '34, Rosenbloom field is one of only two remaining natural playing surfaces in the Midwest Conference, and is without a doubt the finest.  Abe Rosenbloom was a three year starter for the Pioneers during their days in the Missouri Valley Conference.  He was named All-Conference in both 1932 and 1933.  With no track surrounding the field, the seating is very close to the action, creating one of the more intimate atmospheres in the midwest.
Rosebloom Field, ready for today's home opener