ANDRUS FIELD TO CELEBRATE 125th BIRTHDAY OCTOBER 28, 2006
(Wesleyan to Host Bowdoin in 125th Anniversary Game on Andrus Field - First Game Played October 31, 1881)

      Wesleyan University played its first home football game on what is now know as Andrus Field October 31, 1881, against the Amherst Aggies (now UMass Amherst).  Andrus Field turns 125 years old this year and its birthday will be recognized during Wesleyan's home football game vs. Bowdoin College Saturday, October 28.
     Wesleyan lost that initial contest against the Amherst Aggies in a game that more resembled rugby, one goal and four touchdowns to nothing, and the field bordered by North College on the East and Wyllys Avenue on the North has become the oldest continuously used college football field in the country at any level.
     Notable opponents such as Rutgers (1883), Yale (1885), Amherst  and Harvard (1888), Dartmouth (1892) and Williams (1899) played games in Middletown for the first time on the field which took the name of distinguish alumnus John E. Andrus, class of 1862, who was a generous benefactor to the University and served as treasurer of the Board of Trustees from 1892 through 1902.  The field was officially developed and named Andrus Field in 1897.  Grandstands were erected on the southwest corner for the first time in 1902.
     Wesleyan's field is the oldest of 10 fields at colleges throughout the U.S. which have been in continuous use since 1900 or before.  Three of Wesleyan's fiercest nemeses, Williams (Weston Field, 1883), Amherst (Pratt Field, 1891) and Trinity (Jessee-Miller Field, 1900) are among those 10 as well.  Only one is a Division I college (Penn, Franklin Field, 1895).  While Andrus Field serves two Wesleyan sports teams as the stands and press box are removed in November, making way for Wesleyan to play its baseball games on Andrus Field during the spring, when the bleachers go up in September, so does Corwin Stadium.  In 2002, the University honored Bruce Corwin '62 (1962 that is) for his outstanding work on behalf of the college with a dedication ceremony during Homecoming.  At that time, the Corwin Stadium sign was unveiled as the football playing field and its accoutrements are now know by that name.
(Andrus Field during a battle with Trinity November 15, 1958 with an estimated crowd of over 10,000)