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DUNLAP — Last fall, the Concord Minutemen had to pack their travel bags for every football game of the season, even if they were designated as the home team on the scoreboard. Because of the complete demolition of their Jake Field, every home game was played at either Freed Field in Mishawaka or Rice Field in Elkhart.
This year, however, the boys in green will be playing on their new home turf, literally, as the new Jake Field was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. School officials officially welcomed employees, parents, students, players and coaches to the new stadium with great fanfare, including a variety of food trucks, speeches and self-guided tours of the facility.
{span}”Today is about much more than a new football field,” Superintendent Dan Funston told attendees. “It is about creating a place where students can build memories, families can come together, and our community can continue to take pride in Concord.”{/span}
Along with the brand-new artificial playing surface, the stadium includes a building with restrooms, concessions stand, locker rooms and storage space to be used on game days. A top-of-the line running track surrounds the football field for use in the spring track and field season. New bleachers line both sides of the field, along with a two-level press box overlooking the home sideline.
Perhaps the most stunning addition is the large, digital scoreboard that sits on the southeast corner of the complex, complete with a video display. The scoreboard was funded by Everwise Credit Union, which was described as a longtime partner and friend of Concord athletics.
Several past Concord leaders were on hand to witness the opening, including former head football coach Tim Dawson. It was announced during the ceremony that Dawson would be returning to the Minuteman sideline as tight ends coach under current head coach Craig Koehler.
“What a great time to be Concord,” said Tim Yoder, vice president of the Concord Community Schools Board of Trustees. “As a school board ... we are involved in helping make decisions that will positively impact students, not just today, but for many years to come. Projects like Jake Field are investing in our students, our programs and the experience we want our students to have while they are part of Concord.
“The facilities are a way of investment, and we do not take these decisions lightly, but we also know the value these spaces provide for students. They give a kid a place where they can be a part of something bigger than themselves.”
When asked about the new facilities and what they mean to his football program, Koehler was understandably excited about this new chapter for the Concord football program.
“The biggest thing is for our practices,” he said. “I know that’s not a sexy answer, but when you practice on grass and you get a bad weather day, it makes it really hard to be productive. The (permanent) markings on the new field make sure you’re always accurate in your teachings. It’s hard on a grass practice field; we don’t ask our maintenance people to manicure our practice fields like we would a game field. So those kinds of things are game changers.
“And obviously, just credibility. The entire facility gives us the last piece for our program. It’s been a long time coming and we’re fortunate that the people that are in leadership roles here see the value, and they did everything the right way. There’s no detail that went unnoticed. It’s a real-deal facility.”
One significant difference that Koehler pointed out was the temperature difference, especially on hot days, that artificial turf brings. He said that when he’s had the team on it in July that the difference is both measurable and palpable, saying that it’s 10-15 degrees warmer on the turf than it is on natural grass.
“So that’s an adjustment, there’s no doubt,” he said. “But our kids played on turf last year because we didn’t have any home games. So we got a year under our belt of really no grass on a Friday night, so I don’t suspect that’ll be a big adjustment.”
In addition to the new football and track facility, Concord High School also has a new director to oversee the overall athletic program. Rick Court has replaced longtime athletic director Dave Preheim and has been on the job for about a month, preparing for the upcoming fall sports seasons.
“This place is really special,” Court said. “You could see that today in the amount of people who came here. These are first-class people. It’s a first-class community, a first-class stadium and first-class facilities all the way around.
“I’m looking forward to all the practices starting, getting our student athletes around, getting our coaches around. That’s the biggest thing I’ve been missing the first month is not being able to get around them as much as I want to.
“I’m going to come in everyday and be myself and work as hard as I can to try to make an impact, carrying on the long traditions and good things that have been done here,” he said. “This field represents our community. It’s a highlight showing how first class we are.”
Jake Field is named after Larry “Jake” Jackowiak, who served Concord Community Schools for 23 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students and athletes.
It was noted by the school district that the $14.8 million construction project is a significant milestone in Concord’s long-term facilities plan.
“The project was completed while maintaining the district’s consistent tax levy and reflects years of thoughtful planning, responsible financial stewardship, and strong community partnerships, including the generous sponsorship of Everwise Credit Union,” it was noted in a release provided by Concord.
Continue reading...
This year, however, the boys in green will be playing on their new home turf, literally, as the new Jake Field was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. School officials officially welcomed employees, parents, students, players and coaches to the new stadium with great fanfare, including a variety of food trucks, speeches and self-guided tours of the facility.
{span}”Today is about much more than a new football field,” Superintendent Dan Funston told attendees. “It is about creating a place where students can build memories, families can come together, and our community can continue to take pride in Concord.”{/span}
Along with the brand-new artificial playing surface, the stadium includes a building with restrooms, concessions stand, locker rooms and storage space to be used on game days. A top-of-the line running track surrounds the football field for use in the spring track and field season. New bleachers line both sides of the field, along with a two-level press box overlooking the home sideline.
Perhaps the most stunning addition is the large, digital scoreboard that sits on the southeast corner of the complex, complete with a video display. The scoreboard was funded by Everwise Credit Union, which was described as a longtime partner and friend of Concord athletics.
Several past Concord leaders were on hand to witness the opening, including former head football coach Tim Dawson. It was announced during the ceremony that Dawson would be returning to the Minuteman sideline as tight ends coach under current head coach Craig Koehler.
“What a great time to be Concord,” said Tim Yoder, vice president of the Concord Community Schools Board of Trustees. “As a school board ... we are involved in helping make decisions that will positively impact students, not just today, but for many years to come. Projects like Jake Field are investing in our students, our programs and the experience we want our students to have while they are part of Concord.
“The facilities are a way of investment, and we do not take these decisions lightly, but we also know the value these spaces provide for students. They give a kid a place where they can be a part of something bigger than themselves.”
When asked about the new facilities and what they mean to his football program, Koehler was understandably excited about this new chapter for the Concord football program.
“The biggest thing is for our practices,” he said. “I know that’s not a sexy answer, but when you practice on grass and you get a bad weather day, it makes it really hard to be productive. The (permanent) markings on the new field make sure you’re always accurate in your teachings. It’s hard on a grass practice field; we don’t ask our maintenance people to manicure our practice fields like we would a game field. So those kinds of things are game changers.
“And obviously, just credibility. The entire facility gives us the last piece for our program. It’s been a long time coming and we’re fortunate that the people that are in leadership roles here see the value, and they did everything the right way. There’s no detail that went unnoticed. It’s a real-deal facility.”
One significant difference that Koehler pointed out was the temperature difference, especially on hot days, that artificial turf brings. He said that when he’s had the team on it in July that the difference is both measurable and palpable, saying that it’s 10-15 degrees warmer on the turf than it is on natural grass.
“So that’s an adjustment, there’s no doubt,” he said. “But our kids played on turf last year because we didn’t have any home games. So we got a year under our belt of really no grass on a Friday night, so I don’t suspect that’ll be a big adjustment.”
In addition to the new football and track facility, Concord High School also has a new director to oversee the overall athletic program. Rick Court has replaced longtime athletic director Dave Preheim and has been on the job for about a month, preparing for the upcoming fall sports seasons.
“This place is really special,” Court said. “You could see that today in the amount of people who came here. These are first-class people. It’s a first-class community, a first-class stadium and first-class facilities all the way around.
“I’m looking forward to all the practices starting, getting our student athletes around, getting our coaches around. That’s the biggest thing I’ve been missing the first month is not being able to get around them as much as I want to.
“I’m going to come in everyday and be myself and work as hard as I can to try to make an impact, carrying on the long traditions and good things that have been done here,” he said. “This field represents our community. It’s a highlight showing how first class we are.”
Jake Field is named after Larry “Jake” Jackowiak, who served Concord Community Schools for 23 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students and athletes.
It was noted by the school district that the $14.8 million construction project is a significant milestone in Concord’s long-term facilities plan.
“The project was completed while maintaining the district’s consistent tax levy and reflects years of thoughtful planning, responsible financial stewardship, and strong community partnerships, including the generous sponsorship of Everwise Credit Union,” it was noted in a release provided by Concord.
Continue reading...
