Harrison Football Moving to a New Home

As always, the fall football schedule will kick off in the area before we know it, but there will be something very new about the Harrison football season this year.

For years, football games have taken place on Feeley Field, between Harrison Avenue Elementary School and Louis M. Klein Middle School. During that time the field has become an institution in Harrison football from Pop Warner all the way to the varsity level.

The field has seen heroic moments on the gridiron and created unforgettable memories for players fortunate enough to wear the Husky uniform. Feeley Field is also tied to several traditions including the well-known duck pond jump after a victory over the rival Rye Garnets.

But Harrison football will move to brand new McGillicuddy Stadium this year. The field, located on the high school campus, is a state of the art turf field that has already been used to host a multitude of sports for both men and women at the school. In a few months McGillicuddy Stadium will host Husky football for the first time.

But change is never easy and although the new stadium is certainly an upgrade aesthetically, reactions of Harrison football players past and present are mixed.

Claudio Dellicarpini spent his time on the varsity football team from 2006 to 2009 as a wide receiver and kicker and now plays varsity sports for Clemson University.

"Playing Rye at Harrison High School will not have the same allure as it would at Feeley," said Dellicarpini. "But, then again, maybe we are due for a change, because it has been too long since we have beaten them on our home turf."

Katie Fanelli spent last year on the school's junior varsity cheerleading team and feels she may have missed an opportunity.

"I will regret not getting to truly be a part of the pageantry that is Husky football at Feeley field," said Fanelli. "And the new turf has proved for many athletes to be an injury risk so I am somewhat concerned for the safety of the athletes."

Harrison Husky football is a staple in the community and it will continue to be so no matter where the games are played. The high school field will be ready to go for the opening day of football season 2010 and, although things will be different, everyone will have the opportunity to create some new traditions at the new home of Harrison football.

"Feeley field has a great tradition and it means a lot to all the athletes who got to play there," said Jack Molloy, who graduated this year after a great career as the varsity kicker and punter. "But it is about time that we make some new traditions, and I am sure that everyone is looking forward for the opportunity to play in a brand new stadium on a state of the art field."

Have you seen the new field yet? Check out the slideshow below.