Giving
Annapolis
2009 Homecoming Toast
As many of you know, this year marks the 100th year since the opening of Iglehart Hall. We are recognizing the centennial by holding this year’s homecoming cocktail party and later the annual homecoming ball here in the gym. Beneath a recreation of the decorations used for the dedication of the gym back in 1909. I want to offer a pair of toasts…a pair of toasts to mark this occasion.
My first toast is in honor of the building itself. That some of us have lately been calling The Temple. Winston Churchill at the dedication of the rebuilt House of Commons made this claim: “We shape our buildings, and then our buildings shape us.” This expression I believe holds true in the face of Iglehart Hall. Indeed, over the years, we have continued to shape and reshape the gym. 100 years ago the main hall here featured traditional gymnastic equipment: rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, and the like. At one end, down here, was the lap pool. At the other end, down here, befitting a military school, there was a rifle range. 50 years later the genius loci Bryce Jacobson just beginning his tenure here as athletic director and the interior had been reshaped. A large men’s locker room had replaced the cover over pool. Down at this...Down at this end, the rifle range and been split up into two funky low ceiling racketball and squash courts. And I think it fair to say that the main area here was presided over by the king basketball. Now today, 100 years later, while basketball still rules the main court, a women’s locker room has been added over here, the men’s locker room has been skinned down to make room for an expansive weight room facility, and the courts have been refitted as a dance and yoga studio and a much needed cardio room. So, Iglehart has been remarkably malleable over the years to our changing needs and changing means of how we as a community try to get in shape. But all the while the feeling acquired by the main hall of the Temple has remained unchanged. It is intimate; the palatine windows lend it elegance and a touch of sanctum. But most importantly, the building is warm and open and friendly and inviting. And its warmth and openness has helped shape, I believe, how we approach athletics and fitness here at the College. This is not an exclusive place to be left the very skilled few. No, Iglehart Hall is like an open set of arms welcoming everyone in our community regardless of the level of physical aptitude to just come on in and have a go. So, if you would raise your glasses with me. To the Temple.
Now, you’ll be happy to know that my second toast is much briefer. As many of you also know, we are marking the 100th birthday of Iglehart Hall by initiating an on going fundraising effort to create a modest endowment to support the capital needs of our very robust and healthy athletic program. We have named this effort the Mind-Body Challenge. We have two of our co-chairs here with us tonight I would ask them to step forward. One of them is Mike Van Beuren. You see Mike right there and Matt Carter who managed to come back from playing in the soccer game. Well, Matt was here earlier. Anyway, I would like to offer a toast in gratitude to all of the people that you see here on our virtual giving plaque who have already given to our campaign. I would also like to thank you in advance, those of you who I encouraged you to help us meet the Challenge and exceed it. So, again, lift your glasses, thank you.