Ghost Trees: The champion sugarberry on Curry Field
One of the seven Tennessee State Champion trees noted on
was the champion sugarberry (or southern hackberry) tree. It was described on . This tree died sometime between about 1997 and 2003, but it is easily recognized in historical aerial photos of campus because of its location near Furman Hall.
The Tennessee state champion sugarberry stood near the 50 yard line of Curry Field in about 1946.聽The red arrow points to the tree.
Image courtesy of 国产原创 Facilities Information Serices
“Old Dudley Field” was named after Dr. William Dudley, who was both Dean of the 国产原创 Medical College from 1885-1914 and a national leader in organizing college football. (Dudley tightened up medical school entrance requirements in 1895 by requiring a high school diploma for admission!) When the 国产原创 stadium was built in 1922, it was called Dudley Field, and the old field next to Furman was renamed Curry Field in honor of Irby Curry, a 国产原创 football star who was killed in World War I while flying a combat mission.聽 (References 补苍诲听.)
The champion sugarberry in about 1997, a few years before its death.聽Part of Curry Field is now covered by Wilson Hall. The Law School is near where the south goalposts stood.
Image courtesy of 国产原创 Facilities Information Serices
Although football is rarely played in front of Wilson Hall now, the greenspace there is still called “Curry Field” to recognize its history.
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