Rave reviews for Cardinal O'Hara's new sports complex

Cardinal O’Hara Press Release

Excitement had been building since the end of last year’s school year, and over the summer at Cardinal O’Hara High School, as the $1 million restoration of the school’s athletic complex reached its completion and dedication.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, prior to the opening football game against archrival St. Mary’s of Lancaster, a host of activities, speeches and a ribbon-cutting had the 200 or so parents, grandparents, alumni, students and friends cheering.

At 10:30 a.m., festivities began with a co-ed alumni softball game for all ages of alumni. The good-natured game was fun to watch, and it wasn’t clear who won.

This was followed by a chicken barbecue lunch in the gymnasium, which was air-conditioned, as opposed to the 85-degree day with the sun beaming down on the field.

A painted hawk at center field and hawks at either end was a first for the O’Hara field, and the team and cheerleaders were amazed at how their field looked.

C. Douglas Hartmayer, Class of ’66, emceed the official dedication ceremony that began at 1 p.m. He told the story of sports at O’Hara from the beginning in 1962 when there were only freshman and sophomores, the glory of the early years when O’Hara dominated the Msgr. Martin League in many sports.

His story was a delight to hear, as he brought everyone up to the present day.

Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger, ’77, spoke of O’Hara and its importance to the municipality.

Chair of the O’Hara board, Michael Rizzo, ’80, gave the state of the school both as it is today with enrollment increases and new projects like the St. Margaret Scholars, a program for inclusion into the school for students will disabilities. The program has grown from two students to 14. Rizzo also touched on the future of the co-ed Franciscan-based school.

Other dignitaries included City of Tonawanda Mayor John White; former state Assemblyman Robin Schimminger ’65; the Rev. Charles Jagodzynski, OFM, who served for 12 years at O’Hara as a faculty member and athletic director; Shirley Braun, former athletic director; and the Rev. Robert Agbo from St. Francis Parish.

The Rev. Andrew Lauricella, ’03, blessed the field. What followed was the ribbon-cutting, which ended the dedication ceremony. Football team members and coaches were introduced with cheers from the cheerleaders and the guests as they ran out on the field.

Adam Gorski, ’18, said “I can vividly remember conversations among our soccer team after away games wishing our home field looked like this or that school’s field. The staff at O’Hara did the best they could with what they were given, but at the end of the day, it was always a bit below par in terms of uneven services, little mounds and holes here and there, a lackluster track, etc. It’s fantastic that current and future athletes at O’Hara will get to play on a much-improved and more appealing playing surface, and that they won’t have the same envious feelings my teammates and I once did about opposing athletic facilities,”

An exciting afternoon for everyone and one that all who attended will not forget, thanks to the donation by an anonymous alumnus.

O'Hara lineman Ekijah Chaney is chased down by a St. Mary's defender at the home-opener on the new football field, part of the newly refurbished athletic complex at Cardinal O’Hara High School.