After the unveiling was canceled due to an ice storm that blanketed Bowling Green in late January, attendees gathered on the indoor field of the Tim and Sarah Ford Fieldhouse as it had its ribbon cut on Tuesday morning. 

WKU President Timothy Caboni, Athletic Director Todd Stewart and the Fords gathered on stage alongside directors and advisors to commemorate the brand new facility that will house numerous extracurricular teams on campus. 

Caboni took the stage and thanked the Fords for their contribution, and honored Tim Ford for his decorated stretch on the WKU football team. 

Not only will the fieldhouse be home to the football and baseball teams, but also the Big Red Marching Band, esports and forensics teams. 

Caboni said in a press conference after the ceremony that the University holds all teams to the same standard, athletic or not. 

“What they all have in common is that they’re all hyper-competitive,” Caboni said. “We expect the same competition levels from them (forensics and esports) that we do with our athletics teams.”

Director of Forensics Ganer Newman spoke about the long history of struggle the team has had with their home location, having previously been located in the Garrett Conference Center and the basement of McCormack Hall. 

Esports Advisor Patricia Todd spoke about the recent successes the team has had, beating Stony Brook University two-zero in the Union 10 tournament. 

The fieldhouse will serve as a permanent location for both the esports and forensics teams, with their own labeled computer labs. 

Director of Athletic BandsMatthew McCurry spoke with the Herald about how beneficial it is for the band to have an indoor practice facility. 

“We’ve been limited before in where we can practice and how we can practice,” McCurry said. “So to have this space, and to be able to be in here if the weather’s not right, is awesome.”