Wish makes dreams come true
Last legs could be on athletic field next fall
By Erin Lough
Staff Writer

    What was once an empty plot of land converted to a parking lot, then transformed into a dually functional competitive field and is no stranger to the melodies of the Fest and the thunderous rumble of the "L?"

    If you are familiar with the DePaul campus, you know the answer to be Susan M. Wish Field. Wish Field is the soccer/softball field located on Belden Avenue just east of the "L" tracks and west of McCabe Hall and the Cortelyou Commons.

    What you may not know is the history of the multifaceted plot of land.

    Before 1975, when DePaul University bought the land, Wish Field was an empty lawn owned by the McCormick Theological Seminary. DePaul converted it into a paved parking lot to accommodate the slew of basketball fans that flocked to Alumni Hall on game days.

    In 1986 it was transformed once again into an NCAA competitive soccer and softball complex. Trustee Ernie Wish-who was recognized by then-president the Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., for his many volunteer and financial contributions to the university-named it Susan M. Wish Field to honor his daughter, who was a DePaul student.

    Buildings and streets bordered the field, making its design out of the ordinary. By soccer standards, it lacks both width and length. Plus, the dirt infield of the softball diamond sits on the southwest corner of the soccer field. The softball outfield is short by 10 to 20 feet and the distance between home plate and the backstop does not meet NCAA regulations for certain tournaments. A high crown was purposely constructed so that water could drain, and padding was fastened to McCabe Hall so that soccer players wouldn’t run into the brick wall.

    Despite its shortcomings, athletes were thrilled to have a home field on campus. Prior to the development, the soccer team played at Deerfield High School and the softball team met opponents at Lincoln Park locations such as Trebes, Oz and Hamlin parks.

    Candace (Nied) Lenti, wife of current softball coach Eugene Lenti and softball player from 1985-88, said, "Having a field on campus made us a bona fide Division I program. DePaul students could cheer for us at games and we also got attention from ‘L’ riders. It was terrific to actually have fans at our games."

    When asked about playing soccer on a dirt infield, Stephanie Cox, captain of the women’s soccer team, said, "We would rather play on grass and could do without the scrapes and bruises. But since we get to practice on the dirt, I suppose it gives us somewhat of a home field advantage."

    What is it like to compete with both opponents and the ruckus of the "L" storming by? Soccer and softball players alike agree that once the game starts, "You don’t even notice it."

    It must be difficult to maintain a facility that functions as soccer field in the fall and softball field in the spring. "It sure is," said Mike Peetz, facility assistant and DePaul grad student. "There is always something to do on Wish. We patch up the goalmouth and it is destroyed after the next game. Grooming the outfield for the spring is quite a task after the soccer teams trample it in the fall. Trying to paint soccer lines over a dirt infield is tedious as well. After some games it looks like we never painted them in the first place."

    In keeping with the versatile nature of Wish Field, it may be seeing alteration once again. According to the athletic department, "A decision will be made regarding the fate of Wish Field within the year. The future of Corcoran Hall and Hayes Healy are most likely going to be part of the long range plan."

    Jean Lenti Ponsetto, senior associate athletic director, said, "I would like to see the infield off the soccer field and the addition of tennis courts."

    With the increase in DePaul enrollment comes the construction of new residence halls. There is a possibility that the soccer and softball teams will relocate yet again to off-campus locations should dormitories be built over Wish.

    There is a general argument among students that the competitive arena remains on campus. "I love watching the competition and cheering for the DePaul teams. If the fields were moved off campus, I’m sure the teams would lose a great deal of their fan support," said Robb Allen, senior LA&S student.