The new and improved Jordan Field and the brand new Beren Tennis Center have the potential to enhance the Harvard athletics department, regardless of the results of this weekend's contests.

Jordan Field opened last fall for the field hockey season and is now being used for lacrosse. Tomorrow evening's dedication of the field will also set an historic precedent for Harvard athletics, as the No. 15 men's lacrosse team hosts the No. 4 Princeton Tigers in the first outdoor night game at Harvard.

Though only the lacrosse and field hockey teams will host opponents at the newly renovated Jordan Field, the entire Harvard athletic department will certainly benefit from the new facility.

The expansive field, measuring 235 feet by 370 feet with an Astroturf 12 surface, will serve as a new practice area for the football team as well as other athletic teams.

"Jordan is our first artificial turf field, so it answers a desperate need of our athletes," Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations John Veneziano wrote in an e-mail message.

As the first completely artificial turf field with full lighting, the natural grass fields will not be relied upon as heavily, thus easing scheduling congestion and lessening the effects of the changeable Cambridge weather. Harvard's intramural program may also gain limited use of the new field.

Both the field hockey and lacrosse coaches are eagerly anticipating the opening of Jordan Field and hoping it will improve their programs.