(L to R) President La Jerne Terry Cornish, Monica Bertino Wooden '81, Kristen Butterfield Lemay— daughter of Jim Butterfield — and athletic director Susan Bassett '79 at the new entryway marker outside Butterfield Stadium. (Photo by Charles McKenzie)
(L to R) President La Jerne Terry Cornish, Monica Bertino Wooden '81, Kristen Butterfield Lemay— daughter of Jim Butterfield — and athletic director Susan Bassett '79 at the new entryway marker outside Butterfield Stadium. (Photo by Charles McKenzie)
As the sun broke through the clouds on the South Hill on Friday, September 29, a black tarp was removed from a stone entrance marker in front of Butterfield Stadium. With that reveal, Bertino Field was ceremoniously christened.
Complete with lights and artificial turf, the new field was the result of a $3 million gift from Monica Bertino Wooden ’81 and provides the campus with a playing surface that can be used year-round.
Bertino Wooden was given the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. (Photo by Justin Lutes)
“Monica is an inspiration to all of us for leveraging her education and for giving back,” said Susan Bassett ’79, associate vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics and campus recreation. “Monica's philanthropy is intended to lift people up. ‘Monica, you have lifted up all of IC, and we will pay it forward. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.’”
“This is a gift for the community and for the campus,” she said to the assembled crowd, which included her brother, John Bertino ’80, who played on Ithaca’s football and baseball teams. “It’s to see the smiles and brightness of people.”
Some of the biggest smiles on the day belonged to the members of the Ithaca College football team, who were less than 24 hours away from their home opener on the new surface. Quarterback and team captain A.J. Wingfield ’23 presented Bertino Wooden with a team-signed ball, and Head Coach Michael Toerper addressed her during the event.
“[The field] already represents a huge victory for the college, thanks to Monica Bertino Wooden. It’s a huge step forward, and it’s a victory for Ithaca College athletics, the campus and Ithaca community, and the region. Because Monica was always outstanding in her field, we can be outstanding on ours.”
President La Jerne Terry Cornish
Starting quarterback and team captain AJ Wingfield '24 presented Bertino Wooden with a ball signed by the entire team.
Starting quarterback and team captain AJ Wingfield '24 presented Bertino Wooden with a ball signed by the entire team.
“On behalf of our entire program, I want to thank you, Monica,” he said. “It’s already improved our players’ daily experience at Ithaca College — I can’t get them off the field at the end of practice. The beauty of this stadium has been increased and it’s going to attract top talent to our program for years to come. I couldn’t be happier.”
While the football team’s first victory on the field wouldn’t come until the following day, the impact of the gift to the rest of college had already been felt.
“[The field] already represents a huge victory for the college, thanks to Monica Bertino Wooden,” said President La Jerne Terry Cornish. “It’s a huge step forward, and it’s a victory for Ithaca College athletics, the campus and Ithaca community, and the region. Because Monica was always outstanding in her field, we can be outstanding on ours.”
Bertino Wooden's brother John '82, played on Ithaca College's football and baseball teams.
Bertino Wooden's brother John '82, played on Ithaca College's football and baseball teams.
Though the field represents a step forward for the college, and the football program, the storied past of Ithaca was present on this day as well. Kristen Butterfield Lemay ’82, daughter of legendary Ithaca College football coach Jim Butterfield, was on hand. The pair were former teammates on the Bomber softball team, and Lemay's presence at the event was a surprise for Bertino Wooden.
“This is, to me, amazing,” she said. “To have Kris here, it was so special, and I am so honored to have our names in the same sign.”
“When we played softball together, you were just ‘Rookie’ to me,” Lemay joked to her former classmate. “Today, you’re Monica Bertino Wooden.
“I grew up on these athletic fields,” she continued. “Coach Butterfield never wavered on the importance of family. He and [my mother Lois Butterfield] would be thrilled to know I am representing our family with the IC family today.”
Following the ceremony, the football team welcomed Bertino Wooden onto the field for their practice. After giving a rousing speech to the team at the 50-yard line, she and the players huddled together before yelling “Bombers’ on three!”
After the ceremony, Bertino Wooden accompanied the football team onto the field for part of their practice.
It was all part of a wonderful return to South Hill for Bertino Wooden.
“Kristen and I were teammates, we haven’t seen each other in 40 years, and I’m just amazed to see her here,” she said. “This is a dream come true for [my brother and I] and our parents.
“Being back on campus brings back a lot of emotions,” she added. “When you’re young and starting out, you don’t always see yourself back here. Now, here I am again and it’s a new chapter. It almost makes me wish I was back in college.”