August 11, 2019 at 07:41AM
A conceptual sketch of the planned entryway of the stadium to be named to honor 1951 GHS graduate Walter J. Hodges (Photo: Submitted)
The Granville High School Stadium will soon be known as the "Walter J. Hodges Stadium."
The announcement came at a special community event hosted the evening of Aug. 9 at the GHS Stadium by the Granville Athletic and Arts Boosters, where it was also announced the overall project to improve the Granville athletic field complex will total an estimated $3.25 million.
The combined booster organizations are working to help raise $250,000.
Buy Photo Andy Wildman of the Granville Recreation District and Janell Rogers explain fundraising goals and announce the stadium's new name. (Photo: Craig McDonald/The Advocate)
Key to reaching that larger, $3 million-plus goal is a pledge by the Gilbert Reese Family Foundation of a "2 to 1" donation match up to $1 million dollars, which is also tied to the new name honoring Louella Reese's brother Walter, "Granville Class of 1951," described as "a very special alum."
In a video made to promote the Aug. 9 announcement, Louella Hodges Reese, said of her brother Walter, "He grew up as a typical farm kid in Granville. He was an extremely hard worker. He was caddying when he was 9-years-old, and was a lifeguard at Spring Valley Pool."
Related: Event to launch GHS field fund drive
GHS field renovations receive Rotary pledge
Granville Sets eyes on high school field complex improvements
He also, she remembered, played football. "He loved sports. There wasn't a varsity and a JV in those days; it was just all one-team… He was on that football team and he loved it. As soon as he got out of high school, he went in the Navy. He was always learning… He was a totally self-made man. What he did was mentor kids."
In this artist's rendering of the planned new Granville High School field complex, the larger building at the lower portion of the sketch reflects new locker rooms behind what will be new bleachers. The structure to the lower left is what will be a renovated concession stand. (Photo: Submitted)
She concluded her video tribute stating, "I think he's up there with Gib right now, and they're saying, 'This is so cool.'" In addition to a gated entry way announcing the stadium's name, conceptual sketches also depict a statue of Hodges.
As earlier announced, the effort to improve the stadium complex is being done with a public-private funding model, under which the school district will pay an estimated $1.5 million toward improvements/replacements that go to safety and accessibility needs (bleachers, and restrooms, for instance).
The private fundraising undertaken by the Granvile Boosters organizations and their contributors is directed to more playable features,including artificial turf and resurfaced track and new home/visitor locker rooms.
Buy Photo Granville cheerleaders gather ahead of the Aug. 9 announcements. (Photo: Craig McDonald/The Advocate)
According to a news release, the "new turf field will accommodate all 16 field-based school teams, physical education classes and Granville Recreation District Leagues."
It was noted donations are tax refundable and can be paid over a 5-year-period. Families who donate $1,000 or more will be honored on a special wall feature.
At the community event Friday night, which included cheerleader and band performances, introductions of all Granville High School teams, and free refreshments, Granville Athletic Boosters President Janell Rogers described the effort, as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the needs of our athletic facilities."
The hope is to have the project completed in time for the 2020-21 school year.
More information is available at www.GameOnGranville.Org.
Read or Share this story: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2019/08/10/granville-announces-walter-j-hodges-stadium-fundraising-goal/1946555001/
A conceptual sketch of the planned entryway of the stadium to be named to honor 1951 GHS graduate Walter J. Hodges (Photo: Submitted)
The Granville High School Stadium will soon be known as the "Walter J. Hodges Stadium."
The announcement came at a special community event hosted the evening of Aug. 9 at the GHS Stadium by the Granville Athletic and Arts Boosters, where it was also announced the overall project to improve the Granville athletic field complex will total an estimated $3.25 million.
The combined booster organizations are working to help raise $250,000.
Buy Photo Andy Wildman of the Granville Recreation District and Janell Rogers explain fundraising goals and announce the stadium's new name. (Photo: Craig McDonald/The Advocate)
Key to reaching that larger, $3 million-plus goal is a pledge by the Gilbert Reese Family Foundation of a "2 to 1" donation match up to $1 million dollars, which is also tied to the new name honoring Louella Reese's brother Walter, "Granville Class of 1951," described as "a very special alum."
In a video made to promote the Aug. 9 announcement, Louella Hodges Reese, said of her brother Walter, "He grew up as a typical farm kid in Granville. He was an extremely hard worker. He was caddying when he was 9-years-old, and was a lifeguard at Spring Valley Pool."
Related: Event to launch GHS field fund drive
GHS field renovations receive Rotary pledge
Granville Sets eyes on high school field complex improvements
He also, she remembered, played football. "He loved sports. There wasn't a varsity and a JV in those days; it was just all one-team… He was on that football team and he loved it. As soon as he got out of high school, he went in the Navy. He was always learning… He was a totally self-made man. What he did was mentor kids."
In this artist's rendering of the planned new Granville High School field complex, the larger building at the lower portion of the sketch reflects new locker rooms behind what will be new bleachers. The structure to the lower left is what will be a renovated concession stand. (Photo: Submitted)
She concluded her video tribute stating, "I think he's up there with Gib right now, and they're saying, 'This is so cool.'" In addition to a gated entry way announcing the stadium's name, conceptual sketches also depict a statue of Hodges.
As earlier announced, the effort to improve the stadium complex is being done with a public-private funding model, under which the school district will pay an estimated $1.5 million toward improvements/replacements that go to safety and accessibility needs (bleachers, and restrooms, for instance).
The private fundraising undertaken by the Granvile Boosters organizations and their contributors is directed to more playable features,including artificial turf and resurfaced track and new home/visitor locker rooms.
Buy Photo Granville cheerleaders gather ahead of the Aug. 9 announcements. (Photo: Craig McDonald/The Advocate)
According to a news release, the "new turf field will accommodate all 16 field-based school teams, physical education classes and Granville Recreation District Leagues."
It was noted donations are tax refundable and can be paid over a 5-year-period. Families who donate $1,000 or more will be honored on a special wall feature.
At the community event Friday night, which included cheerleader and band performances, introductions of all Granville High School teams, and free refreshments, Granville Athletic Boosters President Janell Rogers described the effort, as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the needs of our athletic facilities."
The hope is to have the project completed in time for the 2020-21 school year.
More information is available at www.GameOnGranville.Org.
Read or Share this story: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2019/08/10/granville-announces-walter-j-hodges-stadium-fundraising-goal/1946555001/