Loyal Holy Name parents, alumni, and supporters gathered on Thursday, August 6 to celebrate the conclusion of summer and to hear more information about Holy Name’s Team Up for Turf initiative. The project includes building a turf field and a six-lane track in place of the school’s current grass field and non-regulation track. The new facility will serve as a multi-purpose complex for athletic teams and extracurricular activities. Approximately $1.5 million is needed for the field, track, and all other amenities, and already $570,000 has been pledged and raised toward the project. However, additional support is needed to make the project a reality.
To start the discussion on the Team Up for Turf initiative, Director of Advancement Ray Murphy spoke about the benefits of building a state-of-the-art synthetic turf field and all-weather track at Holy Name, and also explained the planned phases of the project. Phase one will be to install the turf field and track base; phase two will be to apply a polyurethane surface to the track; and phase three will be to add amenities such as stands, a ticket gate, and a concession stand. The goal is to have phase one of the project – the installation of the turf field – completed by the beginning of the 2016 fall sports season.
Cicerchi Development President and CEO Rich Cicerchi ’65, whose generous support is helping to make Cicerchi Field possible, explained how extracurricular activities, particularly football, play an integral role in his life. He shared the many character intangibles that he learned while at Holy Name, and stressed that it’s important to have a field where current and future Namers can continue to have an experience that allows them to develop strong character traits and important life skills.
Additionally, former Cleveland Browns player Kevin Mack added excitement to the event and spent time mingling and greeting attendees. The Holy Name Football Team even took a quick break from their practice to meet the two-time Pro Bowl selection and took a quick picture with him!
Thank you to all who attended the event and have already supported the Team Up for Turf Project – your help is greatly appreciated! We are also grateful for the new donors who made pledges on Thursday, and those who are still considering a gift that will make a difference. If you would like more information on the Team Up for Turf Project, or would like to learn how to make a pledge, please visit www.TeamUpforTurf.com. You can also call Director of Advancement Ray Murphy at (440) 886-0300 ext. 111 or email him at rmurphy@holynamehs.com with any questions.