Davis Rink Re-Dedicated

DAVIS HOCKEY RINK, with its new artificial ice system, remodeled players' rooms, and partially revamped seating arrangements, was re-dedicated on the night of December 4. As it had when the rink was first dedicated in 1929, Harvard filled the role of friendly rival in the game which followed a brief dedication program. From Dartmouth's point of view, the success of the evening was vastly heightened by the 51 defeat of the favored Crimson team.

The brief ceremony held at center ice was presided over by William H. McCarter '19, director of athletics. After a few remarks he introduced Herbert F. Darling '26, chairman of the Friends of Dartmouth Hockey Committee, who made the formal presentation of the artificial ice system to the College. President Dickey accepted the $110,000 gift on behalf of the College and spoke briefly, after which he dropped the game puck between Captain Seaver Peters of Dartmouth and Captain Norman Wood of Harvard. There was no need to duck out of the way, however, since this was purely a symbolic act. The Dartmouth Band then played the National Anthem and the stage was set for the dedication game.

Present as a special guest was Howard Clark Davis '06, donor of the rink. He was introduced to the capacity crowd of 2,000 and was warmly applauded.

Just to the left of the west entrance to the rink the College has placed a bronze plaque which reads:

DAVIS HOCKEY RINK

Erected through the generosity of Howard Clark Davis '06

Mechanical refrigeration installed 1953 through contributions by Friends of Dartmouth Hockey under the chairmanship of Herbert Franklin Darling '26

Melior Machina Quam Natura

For the re-dedication the Athletic Council printed a special program listing the names of more than 400 alumni and others who had contributed to the fund for modernizing the rink. As a foreword for the program President Dickey wrote the following statement:

Tonight's hockey game with Harvard on Manufactured ice marks the end of an argument and the opening of a new ice age on Hanover Plain. Let no one imagine this is a Minor matter. At first man-made ice was a theory; later its lack became an argument, then an inconvenience, finally a need to be and now for the first time such ice becomes a reality. From here on, thanks to the work of the sponsoring committee and the generosity of the "Friends of Dartmouth Hockey," there shall be ice in Davis Rink.

It is good to remind ourselves that many hands have had a part in this most recent work of furthering intercollegiate sport at Dartmouth. The effort is grounded in the conviction of the official College that athletics must have a rightful and honorable place in the education of young men. That conviction is given living validity by the quality of the men who as players and coaches have represented the College on all athletic fronts; no group has brought more renown to this sector of Dartmouth life than those hardy fellows who do their playing on "hard water." And above all, let us not forget that this work is built on the earlier benefactions of Howard C. "Shorty" Davis '06, whose pioneering generosity and interest made such things possible for Dartmouth athletics.

Over the years may we who watch never lose our respect for the spirit of sport which has made all this both possible and worth while.

RE-DEDICATION CEREMONIES in Davis Hockey Rink were held at center ice prior to the Dartmouth-Harvard game December 4. The photo shows Mr. McCarter speaking to the capacity crowd.

FORMAL PRESENTATION of the artificial ice system was made to the College by Herbert F. Darling '26, fund-raising chairman, who is shown shaking hands with President Dickey.

GETTING POINTERS FROM THE RIVAL CAPTAINS, President Dickey prepares to drop the dedication game puck between Dartmouth's Seaver Peters and Harvard's Norman Wood.