The Madison Comprehensive High School Athletic Department hosted a commencement for the all weather track/field turf project on Thursday. The event heralds the arrival of artificial turf and an all-weather track that will be a valued addition to the school facilities and wouldn’t be possible without generous donations.
The name of the facility will be Ram Field at STARTEK Stadium. “I have immense pride to stand here today. I want to be part of this project because of the passion in this district. This isn’t just about the kids today, but kids of the future,” said Director of Operations with STARTEK Tom Luther.
“I want to thank all of you for your commitment and your generosity. That is what is making this happen. I want to thank you for your commitment to the kids and I want to thank you for your commitment in Madison Local Schools,” said Athletic Director Kirk Manns.
Manns expressed his enthusiasm for the future of Madison sports. “This is certainly an exciting time to be the athletic administrator here. In terms of our facilities right now, our soccer stadium is one of the finest in the area. Our brand new softball field is one of the finest and we have done renovation to our baseball field. We are now going to be moving into a brand new gymnasium that holds 2,000 people which will service the home for our volleyball and basketball teams.”
“To be able to cap this off now with a turf project and a brand new all weather track makes it very exciting, not only to be the athletic administrator but for everyone involved in the community and our students. For that, I want to give all of you a huge thank you,” said Manns.
Manns revealed the timeline and the overall cost of this project. Ag Design will be doing the base work. The company also worked on the school’s soccer facility and baseball fields. Vasco Sports Contractors will resurface the track. The timeline of the project includes a hope to have the base work completed this fall.
“When the weather breaks in the spring they will come in and continue field work and finish up the track. The cost is about $730,000,” said Manns.
Manns made a special note that all money acquired for the project was privately donated. “I want to point out that this was all privately donated. This is through our athletic booster organization and then private donors here today,” said Manns.
“Our booster club is financing over 50 percent of this project. We couldn’t do this without them. I want to thank our Stadium Renovation Committee. We were amazed with the support we had and I want to thank them,” said Manns.
Private contributors to the project were listed in four separate levels. Level one contributor’s consisted of Pro Auto Body, MT Business Technologies, Wellington and Bauer, Baker’s Collision, and Caldwell Concrete. Level two contributors were McDonald’s, Blevins Fabrication, Sons of Herman, Baumberger Heating & Cooling, and Lifetouch. Level three contributors were Milliron Industries, Richland Bank, and Newman Technology. Level four contributor included STARTEK.
Other contributors included Madison Adult Education, Madison teaching staff, Gionino’s Tucker Brothers, and Sasco.
“I want to also give a big thank you to our school board members. They have been nothing but supportive and a big thank you to our high school principle, Rob Peterson and our Career–Technical Education Director Jim Riggle. A last thank you goes to our superintendant, Lee Kaple. During Mr. Kaple’s five years, the community has had reason for increased pride in our schools,” said Manns.
Kaple expressed his gratitude towards Madison Local Schools. “I would like to thank our friends and all of the donors here today. This is something that wouldn’t be possible for the kids of Madison but you all have made it happen. As a superintendent, I can’t tell you how proud I am to tell people I am the superintendant of Madison Schools. I’m proud of the achievements we have made in the classroom, the field, and on the stage. I am proud of these kids. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be able to say we are going to have a top grade facility for these kids,” said Kaple.
The Madison Athletic Boosters have been a constant in the project. “First of all, we want to thank every donor we have. It wouldn’t be possible without you. The support we have seen has been incredible. As far as the boosters, it is what we love to do and it is what we are committed to do. We want to make sure our kids have the best that they can have at that time. We want to make our community proud of the school,” said Athletic Booster President Joe Klupp.
“The administration here does a phenomenal job. The Board of Education and Mr. Kaple have been supportive as well as the Booster Club. Mr. Manns and the athletic department have done awesome throughout the project. I want to thank the Stadium Renovation Committee and there were so many involved throughout this project. I am proud to be a part of Madison,” said Head Track and Field Coach Andrew Saris.
“I want to thank you and bottom line I love Madison. I love our students and I love my players. When you love someone you want what is best for them and you all have helped us achieve that,” said Head football coach Sean Conway.
Madison students Star Lodwick and Alec Keen shared their thoughts on what this project means to Madison. “This is an amazing opportunity for our district and it wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the Madison community. This new addition will benefit our athletes in many ways. Your donations to this project have changed Madison forever,” said Star Lodwick.
“This project means the world to Madison athletes. All athletics can use this facility and the Madison community is a very special place. It is an awesome feeling to be part of a district that is moving in a positive direction,” added Alec Keen.
“To be able to cap this off now with a turf project and a brand new all weather track makes it very exciting, not only to be the athletic administrator but for everyone involved in the community and our students. For that, I want to give all of you a huge thank you,” said Athletic Director Kirk Manns.
