GREEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Lancer Stadium, home of the reigning three-time state football champions, is receiving an upgrade thanks in part to the Cincinnati Bengals.
La Salle High School announced Monday afternoon the upgrade of the school’s on-campus stadium with new synthetic turf installed by The Motz Group.
La Salle is naming the new field “Buddy LaRosa Field” in recognition of the entire LaRosa family.
La Salle to Install New Synthetic Field at Lancer Stadium https://t.co/s9ZEuTSZEI pic.twitter.com/alz4Mop52O
— La Salle High School (@LaSallePride) May 1, 2017
Lancer Stadium, which opened in 1990, includes a track and inside field. The stadium will close May 15 for the upgrades. The new turf replaces the current surface, which was installed 11 years ago.
Construction will include the replacement of the turf and installation of lacrosse sleeves and netting. The plan is to have the stadium re-open June 12, in time for summer youth camps in soccer, lacrosse and football.
The Bengals and the NFL Foundation topped a fundraising effort that generated $325,000.
“We can't thank the Bengals enough for their generosity and continued support of local amateur athletics,” La Salle Athletic Director Keith Pantling said. “Their major gift solidified this project."
In addition to the Bengals, other benefactors include Rumpke, LaRosa's and Nieman Plumbing. Dan Flynn, former La Salle athletic director and current director of major gifts and planned giving, was also instrumental in securing the funding for the new synthetic field turf.
La Salle will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Lancer Stadium at 10 a.m. June 8.
“It impacts so many young lives," Pantling said of the stadium. "It’s an open facility, so not only do our students use it, but so do the grade schools locally. Obviously the community -- so many folks come here and use the track on a regular basis. We host so many different events here. It’s exciting, and obviously it shows a commitment to the kids here and the trajectory of our programs and La Salle High School in general. I think it shows more positive momentum for us.”
La Salle became the first Ohio high school football team to win three consecutive Division II state titles in December.
La Salle (13-2) became also just the ninth Ohio school to win at least three consecutive state football titles and the first program locally to win three in a row since Moeller (1975-77).
La Salle opens the 2017 season against Colerain Aug. 25 in the 20th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at Nippert Stadium. It is a one-year agreement between the schools.
The true home opener for La Salle occurs Sept. 1, when the Lancers host East Central at 7:30 p.m.
