The Bubble May Have Burst

A while back this site posted a link to pictures of the inside of the new bubble covering Harvard Stadium's FieldTurf. It's no secret that Dartmouth football coach Buddy Teevens would like to have a bubble in Hanover, but according to this story in The Dartmouth this week, it doesn't appear that will happen anytime soon. Cynthia Crutchfield, Dartmouth's Director of Operations and Facilities for Athletics and Recreation, told the paper:

"Everyone talks about bubbles but it is not an easy task and not something that we are pursuing at the moment."

What would it cost to construct a bubble, and then erect and remove it each year? To get an idea, check out this Program Plan for an Air Supported Structure at the University of Colorado. (Click here for the 63-page PDF file.) The 2006 study estimated the construction cost for a 370-foot by 190-foot Colorado bubble to be $2,637,041. The study estimated it would cost $60,000 annually to put the inflatable up and take it down. Annual operating expenses are also included in the report.

By the way, if you are ever curious about Dartmouth's physical plant, the athletic facilities, dormitories, even parking lots, check out this site. There's some incredibly arcane stuff there for the trivia buff.

Former Dartmouth quarterback Jay Fiedler is the majority owner of Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group, owner of the CBA Indiana Alleycats basketball team. Fiedler founded Trinity with Tim Hardaway, among others. After Hardaway's well-document remarks this week, Fiedler released a statement, found at the end of this story.

Walter Bush '51, who played freshman football at Dartmouth and has served as chairman of the board for USA Hockey, is the first recipient the United States Olympic Foundation's George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award. He was the first president of the NHL's (former) Minnesota North Stars. From today's Daily Dartmouth:

"Walter Bush has been the single most influential person in the development and evolution of the structure of amateur hockey in the United States," president of USA Hockey Ron DeGregorio said in a press release.

Columbia football has lost its offensive line coach to the Canadian Football League. Read about his move here.