The concrete-block wall at Reeves Field in Beaver Falls one day could have featured flowing trails of ivy like Wrigley Field or maybe a rendition of the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes logo.

On second thought, perhaps a weather-related team reference might be a bad idea, given what Mother Nature did last week to wreck the end zone wall at the stadium.

Roughly half of the 9-foot-high, north end wall collapsed early Aug. 21 thanks to an overnight downpour that left the blocks, the Styrofoam backing and hillside in a muddy mess behind the goal posts.

"It was a mess, it really was," said Cheryl Johnston, Geneva spokeswoman. "It happened sometime overnight and was an unwelcome surprise."

The college had been in the middle of a renovation project that included new turf, nicer visitor bleachers and plans to add ivy and perhaps white paint to the walls that extend for some 50 yards behind both end zones.

The wall that collapsed was at the end closer to the main part of campus.

Had the ground cover been laid as planned the wall might have survived, Ms. Johnston said. "The land cover would've made a huge difference. But we just didn't have the time."

Nobody can say that Mother Nature didn't leave some hints. A few days earlier, Ms. Johnston said, the wall had begun to tilt because of the built-up soil pressure.

"It did start to lean. We had some experts that were going to help us anchor the wall as soon as it stopped raining," she said, "but of course it never stopped, and it resulted in the collapse."

While the accident will be costly, things could've been worse in more ways than one.

First off, no one was injured. Second, the mess occurred before the start of football season, in plenty of time for repairs to be made. Both the Geneva College and Big Beaver Falls High School schedule are unaffected.

Big Beaver's scrimmage went off without a hitch Friday, she said, as the team prepared for its home opener at Reeves tomorrow. Geneva opens its home schedule Sept. 22 against Bethany College.

Even better news might be that the repair bill won't put a dent in the budget, said Geneva President Ken Smith, because the college recently received the final distribution of a gift from an anonymous donor. The money was earmarked for capital improvements, a perfect fit.

"We serve a gracious God," he said in a press release. "The money was provided even before we realized the need."

The $120,000 is expected to cover fully the cost of the repairs and reconstruction. A wedge curb has already been laid along Spring Alley at the top of the hillside.

Later, a new drainage system will be installed and perhaps another row or two of concrete. Landscape architects and structural engineers are still reviewing the best long-term options.

In the meantime, the wall is lower, the hillside steeper and an emergency safety meshing might have to be laid.

"It actually won't be something that will be pretty but it also won't be something that will fall," Ms. Johnston said. "It will enable the field to be used during football season safely. That's the key."