A Legacy Begins in Greenville
August 24, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
GREENVILLE – Curtis Heppe has no idea what to expect, but a few guesses and a dream or two of how it will feel tonight to lead his teammates into Greenville's Legacy Field for the first time.
“It’s going to be electric, for sure. It’s a new vibe. It’s high-tech there,” the Yellow Jackets quarterback said Thursday after his team’s final preseason practice.
Those expectations are shared by a community that will be cheering on the local team in a new home after nearly a century at the legendary Black Field.
Workers put the finishing touches on the near-$7 million facility this week in advance of the season's first varsity game, tonight against rival Belding. Legacy Field officially opened for Wednesday’s freshman game, and Heppe said that even for that lower-level appetizer, the stadium began to come alive.
“We’ve just wanted Friday night to come. To get in and see how intense, how nice this place is,” he said. “Coming out of that tunnel, seeing our fans, it’s going to be the best feeling.”
Tonight’s grand opening will be the culmination of efforts from not just administrators, but students and community members as well – down to the name of the stadium itself.
“Legacy Field” was selected by Greenville’s school board. But it came as a suggestion from the school’s student council, which took submissions from classmates and then with faculty and administrators whittled the list to three favorites – Stinger Stadium and Community Field were next on their list.
But that’s just one way Legacy Field is a blend of old and new and ideas from all over town.
“In development, (it’s been) probably 10 years. We’ve been talking about it ever since I’ve been here, that one day we’d be able to do this,” said Greenville athletic director Brian Zdanowski, who is entering his 15th school year at that post. “It came through strategic planning. It came through community input. And then ultimately, our board bought in that there was enough interest in the community.”
Deeply rooted
A walk through Legacy Field is a history lesson. But first, an explanation of the Yellow Jackets’ past.
Black Field had served as the team’s home since 1916. It is nestled downtown next to Greenville’s former high school, which is now a library.
The current high school, about 1.5 miles northwest, was built in 1963. Football teams continued to make the short trip for home games.
Black Field has its charms. With no track surrounding the field like at many multi-purpose stadiums, fans are only a few yards from the sideline. And all of that history added to the mystique for the latest players to wear the uniform.
The field also has had peculiarities. Zdanowski said at one point, the end zones were elevated in the corners. And the field wasn’t always square – a 10-yard penalty might measure 11 on one side of the field but only nine yards on the other.
But after just about every home game, students met for a bonfire on the grounds, an extension of the celebration by neighborhoods that surround Black Field and embraced the team for decades.
“It was the typical focal point of the community,” Zdanowski said.
Some things old, many new
Playing on Black Field was special, Heppe added. But he's equally if not more excited to be part of this new legacy. And architects made sure to bring that community feel to the new home this fall.
Destruction and construction began May 2, the day after last season’s final girls tennis match. The courts formerly sat in what is near the south end zone, and were moved closer to the track and soccer facility.
Amenities at the Yellow Jackets’ new football home are comparable to a college stadium’s, starting at the north side of the field.
Players will enterthrough a tunnel that pours into the field like that of a miniature Spartan Stadium. Surrounding the tunnel are expansive locker rooms both for the home team and visitors, a similarly expansive training room and officials area and plenty of storage that will allow Greenville’s entire football program to be housed under that one roof. Unlike Black Field, tucked neatly among its neighbors, Legacy Field has plenty of parking and lighting, and builders were able to make that possible while also keeping intact a group of large oak trees near the south gate.
The turf is synthetic, like that played on by all but one member of the Yellow Jacket’s O-K Bronze conference. The difference from many is that the field has been dug out from the surrounding property, making it even more a focal point for those who will occupy the roughly 4,000 seats in the surrounding cement bowl. (The removed dirt was used to build two Little League fields on another part of the property.)
The sound system is of course state-of-the-art, and the press box, concessions area and restrooms also are equally expansive. But what locals should notice most are the throwbacks to the past that dot every corner of their new home.
Cut into the brick work near the concession counter is a block from Black Field that had been dedicated by the school’s class of 1924. Atop the building is the Centennial Clock, 100 years old this year, which formerly hung at the entrance the old school and was donated by the class of 1912. It has been housed by Greenville’s museum until being re-donated to the school district to become part of the stadium.
Molded into the cement walls on the west and south sides of the field are the numbers formerly worn by players Henry Loding and Greg Blumberg. Both died from football-related injuries; Loding in 1906 and Blumberg in 1977. Two trophy cases are cut into the stone on the facing of the press box, including one featuring mementos celebrating alum and former Detroit Lions tight end Ty Hallock.
Another addition of historical significance will come later. The school’s first Hall of Fame class will be inducted before the Sept. 7 game, and that display will be housed near the south ticket area so residents and fans can check it out without having the enter the stadium itself.
And one last thing was added to keep with tradition. To the west of the concession area, but within the stadium fence, sits a large gas fire pit for those postgame gatherings – plus a sound system where students can plug in their mp3 players.
“We said we’re not forgetting our past, but we’re embracing our future,” Zdanowski said. “I’m sure a lot of people have said that before. So we really wanted to make sure we got community input on it and do as much as we could to replicate Black Field. … And I think we won some people over. We really wanted to do what we said (we’d do).”
PHOTOS: (Top) Greenville's junior varsity ran through drills during a morning session at Legacy Stadium, which opened this week. (Top middle) The ticket area and gate for fans sit on the south side of the field. (Middle) A poster given out last season celebrated the final to be played at Black Field. (Bottom middle) A number of pieces of Black Field's past and Greenville tradition were brought over to or included in Legacy Field, including Centennial Clock, which formerly was part of the old school.
Legacy Field's press box is split into areas for game workers, coaches and media with a roll-up door for film crews.
Legacy Field sits between Greenville's high school and middle school and adjacent to its soccer and track facilities.
Coaches met in the spacious varsity locker room Monday morning. Junior varsity and freshman locker rooms are connected by a hallway with access to storage areas and the coaches' office.
Players will enter Legacy Field through a tunnel at its north end. Above sits the concession area and restrooms, and the Centennial Clock that once ticked in the old Greenville school.
Drive for Detroit: District Finals in Review
November 12, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
There will be at least four new MHSAA football champions when this season ends later this month in Greenville and then Detroit.
One opportunity was an opening of circumstance, as reigning Division 8 champ Harbor Beach moved into Division 7 for this season's playoffs. But reigning Division 3 winner Grand Rapids Christian lost this weekend in a District Final, joining Division 5 Portland and 8-player Deckerville among teams whose drives to defend have come to an end.
Three weeks remain in the 11-player season, with four 8-player Regional champions meeting this week to decide who will face off in the championship game Nov. 22 at Legacy Field.
Read on for some of the most intriguing results of last week's action as the field was whittled to 68 teams still alive.
Division 1
Hudsonville 19, Rockford 14
Hudsonville (8-3) was one of the state’s most successful programs last decade, but this is its first season with a winning record since 2008. The recent struggle coincided in part with six straight losses to Rockford (9-2) – including a 28-19 regular-season defeat this fall in Week 6. But this District title leaves the Eagles as best in Division 1 from the always-strong west side of the state. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Detroit Cass Tech 28, Warren Mott 19: The reigning champ Technicians (11-0) kept rolling in handing Mott (10-1) its first and only defeat.
Temperance Bedford 36, Saline 29: Bedford (11-0) also beat Saline (9-2) by 16 points in Week 5 in the game that eventually decided the Southeastern Conference Red title.
Detroit Catholic Central 37, Walled Lake Western 27: The Shamrocks (9-2) earned their fifth straight District title, while ending a streak of two straight for Western (9-2).
Division 2
Muskegon 28, Lowell 21
Big Reds quarterback Deshaun Thrower had to gut out the last few minutes after suffering a slight injury, but to that point he’d thrown for two touchdowns and run for a third as Muskegon (10-1) avenged a Week 4 loss to the Red Arrows (10-1) to claim a second straight District title. The victory also evened the recent playoff series between the two at 3-3 over the last six seasons. Click to read more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Also noted:
Detroit Martin Luther King 28, Detroit East English 20: Only a few more points separated these two than when King (9-1) also edged East English (7-4) by six in Week 2.
Detroit U-D Jesuit 14, Oak Park 8: The Cubs (7-4) continued their comeback season with a first District title since 2001, while Oak Park (6-5) also can celebrate making it this far for the second straight season.
Portage Central 40, Battle Creek Lakeview 7: This matchup of Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference champions didn’t end up close, with West winner Portage Central (11-0) getting out front big and Lakeview (10-1) never able to catch up.
Division 3
Zeeland West 48, Grand Rapids Christian 35
So ended the title defense of reigning champion Grand Rapids Christian, which did finish 8-3 despite graduating a large group of standouts from last season’s team and not having superstar receiver Drake Harris all season because of an injury. Zeeland West (10-1) – the Division 4 champion only two seasons ago – now looks like a favorite to emerge from this side of the bracket. Click to read more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Stevensville Lakeshore 31, St. Joseph 21: Usually-powerful Lakeshore (8-3) was something of an afterthought after finishing fourth in the SMAC West, but no longer after taking down league runner-up St. Joseph (9-2) despite losing by 12 to the Bears in Week 3.
Melvindale 35, Milan 31: Melvindale (9-2) has bounced back from two straight losing seasons to post its best record since 2009, and its best win likely was this first loss for Milan (10-1).
Eaton Rapids 24, Tecumseh 20: Eaton Rapids’ first-ever playoff run has grown to three weeks, thanks to the Greyhounds (7-4) winning a bit of a shocker over Tecumseh (8-3).
Division 4
Detroit Country Day 49, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 27
Country Day (8-3) won close over Notre Dame Prep on the way to Ford Field in 2012, and came up big this time to run its 2013 winning streak to eight. The Yellowjackets have three high-major Division I college prospects on offense, and they continued to shine while ending another solid run for Notre Dame (8-3). Click to read more from the Oakland Press.
Also noted:
Marine City 35, Richmond 21: Richmond (9-2) won the Blue Water Area Conference while Marine City (10-1) finished second in the Macomb Area Conference Gold – but the postseason is the Mariners’ time, and they won a 10th game for the 13th time in 15 seasons.
Battle Creek Pennfield 35, Dowagiac 21: Coming off an upset win the week before, Dowagiac (7-4) couldn’t knock off another league champion in Kalamazoo Valley Association power Pennfield (10-1).
Cadillac 35, Ogemaw Heights 27: Ogemaw Heights (7-4) made this much closer than the teams’ Week 5 meeting, but couldn’t catch the Big North Conference champion Vikings (11-0).
Division 5
Muskegon Oakridge 22, Reed City 20
Oakridge (10-1) is back in the Regional Final for the first time since 2010 after holding off a late charge and stopping a two-point conversion attempt that would’ve tied the score. It was another in a heartbreaking string, however, for Reed City (10-1), which came into the District Final undefeated for the third straight season, but fell short of claiming its first District title by less than a field goal for the second consecutive year. Click to read more from the Muskegon Chronicle.
Also noted:
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 44, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 40: The Huron League runner-up Falcons (10-1) won their first District title in six seasons while keeping Gabriel Richard (8-3) from winning its third in four years.
Millington 33, Frankenmuth 29: The Tri-Valley Conference East rivals met in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, with the Cardinals (9-2) catching the league champion Eagles (9-2) at the end to split the season series and move on.
Livonia Clarenceville 31, Detroit University Prep 22: Clarenceville (10-0) is a District champion and undefeated this late for the first time since 2001, when it reached the Silverdome; University Prep ended its longest run ever at 8-3.
Division 6
Montrose 20, Saginaw Nouvel 6
Montrose vs. Madison Heights Madison has been one of the most anticipated potential Regional Finals in this playoffs, and Montrose took care of its end by jumping to a 20-0 lead and hanging strong on defense in this District Final. The win gave the Rams (11-0) their third District title in four seasons, while dropping a strong Nouvel team to 9-2. Click to read more from the Flint Journal.
Also noted:
Madison Heights Madison 27, Flint Beecher 20: Madison (11-0) nearly missed out on the big Regional matchup thanks to a solid Beecher team that ended 8-3 and won eight games for the fourth time in seven seasons.
Schoolcraft 28, Watervliet 26: Like last week, the KVA continued to look strong with co-champion Schoolcraft (10-1) eliminating Southwestern Athletic Conference South champion Watervliet (10-1).
Clinton 39, Grass Lake 14: Clinton (11-0) is 20-1 over the last two seasons and has yet to allow an opponent within single digits this fall, including Cascades Conference co-champion Grass Lake (9-2).
Division 7
Pewamo-Westphalia 20, Carson City-Crystal 14
The best season in Carson City-Crystal history ended thanks to a late comeback by P-W (10-1), which won its third straight District title. The Eagles, who won 10 games for the first time and entered this one undefeated, did drive into Pirates territory late but fell short as time expired. Click to read more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Ishpeming 34, Iron River West Iron County 0: The reigning champion Hematites (11-0) never let this matchup of undefeated teams turn into much of a game; West Iron finished 10-1.
Southfield Christian 28, Madison Heights Bishop Foley 24: Southfield Christian (10-1) extended the best season of its eight-year history with its closest victory this fall; Bishop Foley, at 7-4, did end with its best record since 2006.
Lake City 56, Lincoln Alcona 14: Lake City’s lone loss to Beal City continues to become a distant memory as the Trojans (10-1) pile up wins like this one over previously-undefeated Lincoln Alcona (10-1).
Division 8
Mendon 13, Climax-Scotts 0
It’s an unfortunate circumstance of geography that these two always meet before the final rounds of the playoffs – Mendon (11-0) eliminated Climax-Scotts (9-2) for the third straight season, and the latter’s only other loss was to a team that generally makes the playoffs in Division 5 (Flint Powers). Make that now 526-19 in favor of Mendon over its combined opponents this season. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
New Lothrop 41, Waterford Our Lady 28: The Hornets (11-0) have piled up four straight seasons of double figure wins and have yet to allow an opponent to come within single digits, including Catholic League Intersectional champion Our Lady (8-3).
Crystal Falls Forest Park 16, L’Anse 9: The dream of returning to Ford Field nearly ended as a nightmare for Forest Park (11-0) as it just edged the Purple Hornets (8-3).
St. Ignace 20, Johannesburg-Lewiston 14: The Saints (9-2) battled through to earn a rematch from last season’s Semifinal against Beal City; Johannesburg-Lewiston (8-3) did finish its third season in four with at least eight wins.
8-Player (Regional Finals)
Lawrence 58, Battle Creek St. Philip 28
Only two weeks ago St. Philip beat Lawrence 54-50, but Lawrence (8-2) obviously learned quickly from that day’s mistakes – just as it has all season in its first as an 8-player program. St. Philip finished only its second season of 8-player, but with its best record, 10-1, since 1985. Click to read more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Also noted:
Peck 31, Carsonville-Port Sanilac 7: Peck (11-0) scored its second-fewest points of the season but also turned in one of its best defensive performances of the fall in holding the Tigers (7-4) to their second-fewest points as well.
Kinde-North Huron 64, Owendale-Gagetown 22: North Huron (8-3) advanced to its first football Semifinal in any division while ending Owendale-Gagetown’s best season since 1979 at 9-2.
Rapid River 50, Engadine 21: Engadine (6-5) got hot at the end of the regular season, but Rapid River (11-0) has one of the most impressive resumes of any team left in any division.
PHOTO: A trio of Montrose defenders brings down a Saginaw Nouvel ballcarrier during last weekend's District Final win. (Click to see more from High School Sports Scene.)