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: Week 4 in Review
September 19, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A pair of game-winning field goals. Gutsy calls to go for two. Three significant streaks broken and a pair of MHSAA records set, and on top of it all a scene to draw a tear from even the most macho fan.
What more could we ask for from one weekend of high school football?
Our Week 4 review touches on a lot of these stories and more. But also check out this Observer & Eccentric piece how two teams came together to make a special night for Novi's "hydration engineer" and his mother, who is fighting cancer for the second time. A piece by WXYZ-TV also is at the bottom of this report.
Bay & Thumb
Freeland 12, Alma 6
The Falcons (4-0) added to a 16-game regular-season winning streak and kept hold on their lead in the Tri-Valley Conference Central, but just barely thanks to a defense that locked down an Alma offense that averaged 36 points per game over its first three. Freeland had three interceptions to stay ahead of the Panthers, who have given up only 26 points on the year. Click for more from the Midland Daily News.
Also noted:
Croswell-Lexington 48, Almont 28 – The Pioneers (3-1) are a three-point loss to Richmond from perfection, but are keeping themselves in the Blue Water Area Conference conversation thanks to this win over Almont (2-2).
Flint Carman-Ainsworth 41, Flint Powers Catholic 7 – A tough opening schedule made it tough to gauge the Cavaliers (2-2), but downing Powers (2-2) said plenty and kept them undefeated in the Saginaw Valley League Blue.
Midland 31, Mount Pleasant 28 – Gavin Archbold drilled a 40-yard field goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock to give Midland (3-1) the edge over the Oilers (1-3) in a series that has seen the last five games decided by eight points or fewer.
Montrose 29, Flint Beecher 15 – What’s generally a three-team race in the Genesee Area Conference Red now has two favorites with Montrose (3-1) and Lake Fenton both downing Beecher (2-2) over the last two weeks.
Greater Detroit
Farmington Hills Harrison 28, West Bloomfield 0
Harrison (3-1) avenged last season’s Week 9 loss by dealing West Bloomfield (2-2) its first shutout since 2010. Both could emerge as eventual league champions; Harrison is 2-0 in the Oakland Activities Association White, and the Lakers have two strong opening wins in the OAA Red. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.
Also noted:
Birmingham Brother Rice 13, Warren DeLaSalle 3 – The Warriors (3-1) are back after their first sub-.500 season in 30 years, with this win over DeLaSalle (2-2) giving them more victories than in all of 2015.
Oak Park 44, Rochester Adams 43 (OT) – The Knights (2-2) went for the two-point conversion in overtime and made it five straight over Adams (3-1) and stay in the mix in the OAA White.
Detroit Catholic Central 28, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Ohio, 21 (OT) – This was the first close game for both teams, with the Shamrocks (4-0) emerging as the still-undefeated by winning overtime.
Warren Fitzgerald 24, St. Clair Shores South Lake – The Spartans (4-0) are in a slightly more comfortable position in the Macomb Area Conference Silver thanks to this win and an earlier victory by South Lake (3-1) over 2015 champion Madison Heights Madison.
Mid-Michigan
Portland 36, Lansing Catholic 35
The Lansing area’s most anticipated game was as good as expected, coming down to a made two-point conversion with 25 seconds to play that kept Portland (4-0) atop the Capital Area Activities Conference White. Lansing Catholic (3-1), which beat Portland in a Division 5 District Final last season after losing their regular-season matchup, led the entire game until that go-ahead score. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal.
Also noted:
Stockbridge 70, Leslie 32 – This wasn’t just another 100-point game involving Stockbridge (3-1); Mason Gee-Montgomery threw eight touchdown passes, reportedly breaking the MHSAA career record in the category after entering this season needing 21 to do so.
Greenville 35, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 34 – The Yellow Jackets (3-1) now have one more win than all of last season after handing Forest Hills Central (3-1 also after going 2-7 a year ago) its first loss.
Ithaca 45, Pinconning 0 – The Yellowjackets’ third straight shutout also put them at 4-0 and 97-3 over their last 100 games, the best 100-game winning percentage in MHSAA history.
DeWitt 47, Mason 0 – The Panthers (3-1) finish with a couple tough nonleague matchups, but beating Mason (3-1) this well makes it look like they won’t have many more challenges in the CAAC Red.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Traverse City Central 38, Portage Central 22
Storms pushed the end of this one past midnight Friday, but Traverse City Central left its home field with a big-time statement win against one of the southwest corner's top teams. The Trojans finished on a 21-7 second-half run to remain undefeated at 4-0 and hand the Mustangs (3-1) their first loss while scoring the most points Portage Central has given up since a 2013 Division 2 Semifinal. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Also noted:
Johannesburg-Lewiston 47, Central Lake 14 – The Cardinals’ five-year playoff streak looked to be in jeopardy, but getting to 2-2 with this win over Central Lake (1-3) will help significantly with a tough slate ahead.
Lincoln Alcona 58, AuGres-Sims 20 – Alcona (3-1) is all alone atop the North Star League standings with the second-place Wolverines (3-1) now needing some help and two others only a win back.
Maple City Glen Lake 42, Onekama 7 – The Lakers (3-1) kept pace in the Northern Michigan Football Conference Leaders division and are the only team to beat the Portagers (3-1) during the last two regular seasons, having done so last year as well.
Roscommon 20, Beaverton 14 – Another week, another important win for upstart Jack Pine Conference co-leader Roscommon (4-0), which dealt the Beavers (2-2) a second straight loss.
Southeast & Border
Saline 26, Temperance Bedford 24
There’s a chance this season’s Southeastern Conference Red championship will come down to the field goal kicked by Vinnie Patteri with three seconds to play against Bedford (3-1) after he missed an extra point earlier in the game and was injured the week before when Saline (4-0) also won on a late field goal. Click for more from MLive-Detroit.
Also noted:
Sand Creek 38, Morenci 36 – The Aggies are continuing to enjoy their best start since 2006, making themselves a Tri-County Conference contender by beating a Morenci team (2-2) that has been the last two seasons.
Ann Arbor Skyline 35, Monroe 22 – After a tough start, Skyline (1-3) lost to Saline by only three last week and now has its first win over a Monroe team that while 2-2 has made the playoffs four of the last five seasons.
Ida 58, Brooklyn Columbia Central 34 – The matchup of last season’s top two in the Lenawee County Athletic Association went Ida’s way again, with the Bluestreaks (4-0) now tied atop the league with Dundee and Columbia Central (2-2) needing to chase.
New Boston Huron 7, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 6 – The Chiefs (3-1) may be a win behind in the Huron League standings but kept themselves in the conversation – with much more to celebrate – by beating the Falcons (2-2) for the first time since 1986.
Southwest Corridor
Cassopolis 28, Berrien Springs 21
The Rangers secured their first 4-0 start since 2009 in avenging a 7-0 loss from a year ago. Cassopolis mounted the winning the drive with three minutes to play and handed the Shamrocks (1-2) their second defeat by seven or fewer points this fall. Both won nine games a year ago. Click for more from the Niles Daily Star.
Also noted:
Comstock 26, Bronson 16 – The Colts’ 40-game losing streak is history as they won for the first time since 2011 to go to 1-3 this fall.
Vicksburg 24, Plainwell 8 – The Bulldogs (3-1) will need some help in the Wolverine Conference after falling to favorite Edwardsburg two weeks ago, but getting past perennial playoff team Plainwell (1-3) was big for postseason hopes.
Stevensville Lakeshore 31, St. Joseph 12 – A week after a big loss to Portage Central, Lakeshore (3-1) bounced back quickly and well in handing the Bears (3-1) their first defeat.
Portage Northern 24, Niles 21 – Portage Northern (2-2) got a needed victory as it hopes to get back to the playoffs after missing last fall; it’s worth noting that the Vikings (3-1) do have one more win already than all of last season.
Upper Peninsula
Negaunee 35, Iron Mountain 13
The Mid-Peninsula Athletic Conference title is hardly wrapped up, but Negaunee (4-0) has now handed the only losses this season to two teams – Iron Mountain and Calumet – and has to feel pretty confident with nemesis Ishpeming coming up in three weeks. Iron Mountain (3-1) handed the Hematites their lone loss this fall and now will be rooting for them. Click for more from the Iron Mountain Daily News.
Also noted:
St. Ignace 46, East Jordan 8 – This meeting of early contenders in the NMFC Legacy didn’t stay close for long, as St. Ignace (3-1) kept its spot among favorites by handing East Jordan (3-1) a first defeat.
Newberry 22, Felch North Dickinson (20) – The Indians (4-0) stood up to their first challenge of the season to remain atop the Mid-Eastern Conference with North Dickinson (2-2) falling into a tie for third.
Gwinn 28, Bark River-Harris 14 – Save for a Week 2 loss to Iron Mountain, Gwinn (3-1) already has had a memorable fall with as many wins as in any season since going 4-5 in 2001 – and now a victory over last season’s Mid-Eastern Conference co-champion Broncos (2-2).
Kingsford 36, Sault Ste. Marie 14 – The Flivvers (3-1) lined themselves up nicely for this week’s matchup against Great Northern Conference power Menominee, while dropping first-year league member Sault Ste. Marie to 1-3 overall.
West Michigan
Hudsonville Unity Christian 24, Zeeland West 22 (OT)
Unity Christian (4-0) has strung together a pair of nice finishes over the last two seasons, but both included big regular-season losses to West including 52-6 in Week 9 last season. However, the Crusaders looked like they might have figured out the Dux (3-1) a bit, falling only 28-21 in a Division 4 Regional Final a few weeks later – and this time handed the reigning Division 4 champion its first regular season loss since Week 2 of 2013. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.
Also noted:
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 24, East Kentwood 23 – The Huskies (2-2) squeaked past what’s been considered one of the contenders in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red; East Kentwood’s two losses the last two weeks were by a combined eight points.
Grandville Calvin Christian 36, Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian 33 – The Squires (2-2) have come back from opening losses to bigger teams with a pair of wins against O-K Silver opponents, this one over a NorthPointe team (3-1) that played in MHSAA Semifinals the last two years.
Grandville 36, Hudsonville 6 – The Bulldogs (4-0) now look like the clear favorites in the O-K Red with a combined 185-28 score on their four opponents including an Eagles team (3-1) that looked like the other likely contender.
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 39, Muskegon Mona Shores 34 – Reeths-Puffer (3-1) had lost to Mona Shores by a combined score of 97-18 over the last two seasons, but this time dealt the Sailors (1-3) their third straight defeat of the fall.
8-Player
Deckerville 38, Peck 0
These were two of the top three in the North Central Thumb 8-Man League, but Deckerville stands alone and impressively – the Eagles have given up 20 points this season and no more than eight in any game. Click for more from the Port Huron Times Herald.
Also noted:
Rapid River 48, Ontonagon 36 – One of the closer games statewide in 8-player saw Rapid River win its third straight to move to 3-1, with Ontonagon 2-2 after two straight losses to top Western Eight Conference teams.
New Haven Merritt 36, Hale 32 – The Mustangs are off to their first 4-0 start in their five-year program's history but only after just surviving an Eagles team that at 3-1 has as many wins this season as the last three combined.
PHOTO: Ithaca improved to 97-3 over its last 100 games with a win over Pinconning. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)