Zephyrs have new stadium to call home

St. Mary Central High School in Neenah finally has a football stadium of its own.

"It will be a true home game" when the Zephyrs play their first game of the season in the new facility on Aug. 31 against Wrightstown, said John Joch, athletic director.

"We won't be jumping into the school bus on Friday afternoons to go to Calder Stadium," he continued. "Those are excellent facilities, but we wanted something we can call our own."

Since the late 1960s, St. Mary Central has played its home football games at the stadium in Menasha.

Besides football, the new 800-seat stadium will also be used for soccer games. The first home soccer game will be played Aug. 25 when the Zephyrs host Stevens Point Pacelli.

Until this year, the St. Mary soccer teams have played at various sites in Menasha and Neenah.

According to Joch, the new facility will be dedicated on Sunday, Aug. 19.

The athletic director pointed out that the project which began in the summer of 2000, also includes a soccer practice field and softball diamond.

Highlighting the stadium is its press box with state-of-the-art sound and speaker systems. Joch said it is large enough to accommodate coaching staffs, play-by-play announcers, scoreboard operators and the media.

The 800 seats are permanent bleachers, but auxiliary seating is also available for the school band and others. Joch said more seating can be added in the future if needed.

The construction project also includes a concession stand with restrooms and a garage for school buses and vans. Storage space is available under the bleachers and behind the concession stand. A walking trail surrounds the perimeter of the field.

Dedication

St. Mary Central High School families and guests will join in "Celebrating Catholic Education-Mind, Body and Spirit" on Aug. 19. This dedication ceremony celebrates three new additions to the SMC campus-the Environmental Energy Education Center, Jane's Woods and Zephyr Fields. Joining in the celebration will be Fr. William Swichtenberg, SMC alumnus, from Green Bay.

The Winnebago County Sheriff Honor Guard will help to raise the first flag at Zephyr Fields. The SMC Chorale and SMC Pep Band will perform for the first time on Zephyr Fields. Following the dedication ceremony, a fireworks celebration will complete the evening.

The Environmental Energy Education Center (EEEC) is an exciting educational enterprise allowing students and the community to more effectively understand the vital topic of energy.

Jane's Woods is a curriculum-based environmental classroom. The Bergstrom family, in memory of their mother, Jane Bergstrom, donated the 2-acre plot of land. The wooded 2-acre plot of land is located adjacent to the school campus. Students from SMC and the community will learn environmental conservation principles and enhanced appreciation for Wisconsin's native plant species.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with fall sports meetings with parents, students and coaches. The SMCHS Booster Club will host a picnic supper from 6 to 8 p.m. Tours of the facilities will start at 7:15 p.m. with the dedication at 8:15 p.m. The evening will close with fireworks.

For more information on the dedication, call St. Mary Central High School at (920)722-7796.