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Athletic complex to be named for H. David Myers

Sat, Sep 24th 2016 07:00 am

Homecoming game to include halftime dedication

A dedication honoring the "Father of Viking Athletics" will take place during halftime of the Grand Island High School Homecoming football game.

The Grand Island Central School District will formally name the fields behind the Ransom Road school the H. David Myers Athletic Complex at a dedication to take place at the Friday night, Sept. 30, Homecoming football game at Gene Masters Field.

Myers is 97 years young this year and will be at the game. Known as the "Father of Viking Athletics," Myers was employed in the school district from 1948 to 1983. His impact on Vikings athletics is felt to this day.

He named the GI athletic teams the "Vikings" and designed the athletic fields and indoor facilities that are still in use. He was the first male faculty member and physical education teacher, first athletic director and physical education coordinator, and was the first Town of Grand Island recreation director.

"H. David Myers is the Founding Father of Grand Island athletics," said Kim Kalman of the Grand Island Alumni Association. "It's fitting that the athletic complex is named after the man who built the program from the ground up."

GIHS alumni athletes and coaches are encouraged to attend. At halftime of the game against Williamsville East, alumni will be asked to gather on the turf by decades, as the football alumni did at the Gene Masters Field dedication during Friday Night Under the Lights event two years ago.

"We invite Viking alumni to come to the Homecoming game and help us cheer on our Vikings against Williamsville East," Kalman said.

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

H. David Myers 

H. David Myers

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