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.
1st & Goal: 2021 Week 6 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 1, 2021
The first round of football trophy time has arrived in Michigan.
Two weeks ago, Britton Deerfield became the first varsity in the state to claim a share of a league title – enjoying that moment a little earlier than usual because of how its schedule lined up.
But two weeks later, league championship are set to be decided all over, with six of our nine featured matchups below potentially finishing with a league champion and many more games this weekend setting a similar stage for the next week or two.
MHSAA.tv will carry more than 150 games live this weekend, with Bally Sports Detroit broadcasting Friday's Lowell/East Grand Rapids rivalry game on its PLUS cable channel and State Champs! Sports Network streaming Saturday's Warren Fitzgerald/Madison Heights Madison matchup. See the full schedule from the MHSAA Score Center. (Games below are Friday unless noted.)
Bay & Thumb
Reese (5-0) at Bad Axe (5-0)
Three teams remain undefeated in Greater Thumb Conference West play – these two plus Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker – with tonight and the next two weeks potentially necessary to completely wrap up this conference race, although the winner tonight will be much closer to being there at the end. The Hatchets shared the title last year and have won four straight against the Rockets including 17-7 a year ago. After downing GTC East contender Harbor Beach 42-33 on opening night, Bad Axe has given up only 20 points over the last four games – but that defensive unit is sure to be challenged by a Reese offense averaging 41 points per contest.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Croswell-Lexington (4-1) at Almont (3-2), Flint Hamady (3-2) at Burton Bendle (4-1), Ortonville Brandon (5-0) at Goodrich (4-1), Midland (2-3) at Bay City Western (4-1).
Greater Detroit
Clarkston (5-0) at West Bloomfield (4-1)
A share of the Oakland Activities Association Red title is on the line, with Clarkston the reigning league champion. These two have traded regular-season wins since 2014, with the only break from that pattern Clarkston’s still semi-unimaginable 3-2 Division 1 championship game victory in 2017. The Lakers took last season’s meeting 24-21, and quickly got back on track this fall after being doubled up by Rochester Adams in the season opener to move into the No. 16 spot in Division 1 playoff points this week. Clarkston sits at No. 5 coming off a second three-point victory this season and with this matchup looking like the Wolves’ toughest before the playoffs begin.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Sterling Heights Stevenson (4-1) at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (4-1), Detroit Central (5-0) at Detroit Osborn (4-1), Detroit Catholic Central (4-1) at Warren De La Salle Collegiate (4-0), Milan (4-1) at Riverview (5-0).
Mid-Michigan
Portland (5-0) at Lansing Catholic (5-0)
The winner will earn a share of the Capital Area Activities Conference White title, and these two have decided it the last six seasons. Lansing Catholic’s best moment this fall came Week 2 over Williamston, which plays this week in a game that could decide the CAAC Red title, while Portland opened this fall with wins over two teams that could end up league champions in Ovid-Elsie and DeWitt. Portland is riding a 33-game league winning streak stretching back to 2014 – but that doesn’t include a 2-2 playoff record against the Cougars during that time. They are guaranteed to not see each other again this time unless in passing at Ford Field – Portland is in Division 5 and ranked No. 2, while Lansing Catholic has the most playoff points in Division 6.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Comstock Park (5-0) at Belding (4-1), Williamston (3-2) at Haslett (4-1), Pewamo-Westphalia (5-0) at Olivet (4-1), New Lothrop (3-2) at Ovid-Elsie (4-1).
Northern Lower Peninsula
Cadillac (4-1) at Traverse City Central (4-1)
This could begin wrapping up the final Big North Conference championship as we currently know the league, with Central in position to earn a share of the title with a win before leaving with Traverse City West for the Saginaw Valley League next season. Cadillac’s lone loss this fall was to West in Week 3, but a Vikings win tonight would create a three-way tie atop the standings with one conference game to play. Even with that loss to West, Cadillac is giving up only 10.6 points per game, riding the strength that helped the Vikings to last season’s Division 4 Final. But similarly, Central despite an opening loss to DeWitt is averaging 48.2 points per game.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Charlevoix (4-1) at East Jordan (4-1), Sault Ste. Marie (4-1) at Grayling (3-2), Traverse City West (4-1) at Petoskey (3-2), Cheboygan (2-3) at Kingsley (5-0).
Southeast & Border
Jonesville (5-0) at Reading (4-1)
Somewhat quietly amid Reading’s attention-grabbing Division 8 state dominance of the last few seasons, Jonesville also has become a force in the Big 8 Conference with 14 wins over its last 15 league games including a 4-0 title run in 2020. A victory tonight would clinch a share of a repeat championship, and the Comets have outscored their first five opponents this fall by an average score of 47-7 while tying for No. 8 in Division 6. The Rangers finished second in the Big 8 a year ago, falling to Jonesville 44-18 in the title decider, and they’re facing a must-win to hope for a share this time after a 26-20 defeat against Union City two weeks ago.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Dexter (4-1) at Ann Arbor Huron (4-1), Temperance Bedford (4-1) at Monroe (3-2), Petersburg Summerfield (4-1) at Sand Creek (3-2), Blissfield (2-3) at Clinton (3-2).
Southwest Corridor
Centreville (4-1) at Cassopolis (4-1)
A share of the Southwest 10 Conference title goes to the winner, and Centreville is attempting to repeat after ending Cassopolis’ two-year title reign in 2020. The Bulldogs showed with last week’s win over previously-undefeated White Pigeon that any assumptions of their demise after an opening night loss to Niles Brandywine were premature. Cassopolis’ lone loss also was to Brandywine, in Week 2, and minus those defeats both teams are giving up less than eight points per game. It’s very possible as well this will be just chapter one this season – Centreville is tied for No. 16 and Cassopolis is No. 13 in Division 8 (and White Pigeon is tied for No. 8).
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Watervliet (4-1) at Constantine (5-0), Paw Paw (4-1) at Edwardsburg (5-0), St. Joseph (5-0) at Portage Central (3-2), River Rouge (3-2) at Portage Northern (2-3).
Upper Peninsula
Clare (4-1) at Marquette (4-1)
There are some important league matchups in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference especially that will take precedence for most this week, and for logical reasons. But from a statewide point of view, Marquette’s tough downstate matchups are always intriguing – and this one starts a four-game run that will include a possible league-title decider next week against Menominee and then two Big North meetings against Traverse City West and Petoskey. Clare is tied for first in the Jack Pine Conference, and similarly will welcome Gladwin next in what could be a matchup of that league’s leaders. This should be a fine tune-up and more as both prepare for those high-stakes Week 7 games.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Iron Mountain (3-2) at Calumet (3-2), Ishpeming Westwood (4-1) at Hancock (3-2), Negaunee (4-1) at L'Anse (3-2), Escanaba (1-4) at Menominee (3-2).
West Michigan
Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-0) at Spring Lake (5-0)
Four teams in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue are 3-0 in league play, and the other four 0-3, but this week will at least help sort out the leaders a bit with Grand Rapids West Catholic and Coopersville meeting as well. What makes this matchup just a slice more intriguing is Unity Christian is the reigning league champion and plays all three of these teams over the next three weeks – plus is ranked No. 4 in Division 4 with Spring Lake at No. 5. The Lakers also need just one more win to guarantee their best record since 2014.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Grand Rapids West Catholic (5-0) at Coopersville (5-0), Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (4-1) at Grand Rapids Christian (3-2), Muskegon Catholic Central (4-1) at Muskegon Heights Academy (4-1), Central Montcalm (4-1) at Reed City (4-1).
8-Player
Portland St. Patrick (5-0) at Vestaburg (5-0), Saturday
With its first 5-0 start since 2006, Vestaburg has put itself in position for its best finish in more than a decade regardless of what happens against the Shamrocks. But the potential is there for much more. Those two are tied atop the first-year Central Michigan 8-Man Football Conference, with the winner of this matchup guaranteed a share of the league title. Vestaburg has reached 60 points three times in four games played (one win was a forfeit). Reigning Division 2 runner-up St. Patrick will match with a defense giving up 19 points per game, especially impressive in the high-flying 8-player format.
Keep an eye on these FRIDAY Gaylord St. Mary (4-1) at Pellston (5-0), Climax-Scotts (4-1) at Adrian Lenawee Christian (5-0), Rudyard (4-1) at Munising (3-2), Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (3-2) at Peck (5-0).
Second Half’s weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO Muskegon Catholic Central, here Week 1 against North Muskegon, takes on Muskegon Heights Academy this weekend with a chance to clinch a share of the Lakes 8 Activities Conference title. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)