Notable Hoban landmarks continue legacy of three icons
.
March 26, 2010
Ryland Parnell
The next time you walk on Dowed Field, dribble a ball in Barry Gymnasium or eat lunch in Foley Commons remember the history behind the place where you are stepping foot.
Barry Gymnasium is a commonplace term used at Hoban, but who is behind its legacy? Father Joseph Barry, who was the school chaplain, performed all-school Masses and was the football team’s number one fan. He was an influential man in the Hoban community and was the head of 35 Brothers of Holy Cross who lived in the Hoban community on campus in the current science wing.
“Father Barry was a very kind man and he was always there when you needed someone to talk to… his door was always open,” 1980 Hoban graduate Dan Lancianese said.
The cafeteria, named for Brother Richard Foley, also has its own storied past. Foley ran the school’s print shop and bookstore which is now transformed into the attendance office. Foley was hard of hearing, but that never stopped him from doing his multiple jobs in the community.
“Brother Foley was a joy to be around and he loved camping and being in nature,” Brother Joseph Lebon said.
Foley was the swimming team coach for multiple years and was a big volunteer and supporter of the Red Cross. Foley Commons is named after this intelligent man who worked just a few steps from its entrance.
Blood, sweat, and tears were shed, history was made, and games were sold out on Dowed Field: a place named after one man who was far from boring- Monsignor Richard A. Dowed. Dowed was active in the community. Not only was he a priest for Annunciation Parish, but he also worked for Springfield Lake Sanitarium and Infirmary, known as Edwin Shaw Hospital. Dowed was in charge of buying the land for Holy Cross Cemetery in 1915 which still stands today and is the burial spot for many in the Hoban community. Dowed, a local priest, thought there was a need for a Catholic high school in the area and was able to convince Archbishop Edward Hoban to bring a Holy Cross school to Akron. Some said that the school should be named after him, but he was so modest that he would not let them do so. Dowed actually purchased the land Hoban stands on today.
Even though all of these men touched our school at different times in different ways, they always and forever live on through the landmarks named in their honor.
Leave a Reply
Reader Survey
Loading ...