A Brand New Deal

Sitting on the corner of 49th St. and Hampton Blvd is Foreman Field. It’s a small, unassuming stadium on the edge of the Old Dominion campus. This red-brick sports complex has a deeper history than most students and even faculty realize.

Built in 1936, the stadium was originally constructed by Public Works as part of Nixon’s New Deal. The 20,000 seat stadium is currently undergoing a $24.1 million renovation. The timing of the renovation couldn’t be more perfect.

The economic situation in the United States is the worst it’s been since the depression. The countries 44th president, Barak Obama, is talking about economic reform and improving the country’s infrastructure. A key part of Nixon’s reform package, was improved infrastructure.

There’s a key difference between the Foreman Field renovation and the original construction project, the mailing address for the bill. The university is picking up the tab for the renovation while Uncle Sam footed the bill for the original construction.

It’s just interesting to consider that we may be witnessing the inception of a Brand New Deal.