Fieldhouse latest in long lne of booster projects

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What can you buy for $100,000? Well, in 1966, you could have purchased the land and constructed Bellevue Athletic Field Stadium, installed lights, bleachers, a running track and a football field.

As a testament to the forward looking and visionary ambition of the team of individuals who were responsible for raising the money to build the BAF complex, it continues to outclass most others in our area.

The Athletic Fund Drive was headed up by Charles Sabo and Terry Ruppert (co-chairpersons) and included the hard work and dedication of many other committee members and community volunteers including Bill McClain, Bob Seymour, Johnny Burrill, Hollis Matherly, Wilson Loundenslagel, Jerry Foos, Bill Fulton, Dave Vogel, Dick Pollock, Frank Johnson, Dr. F.D. Crosby, Dr. Don Taggart, R.L. Smith, Lowell Shaffer, Robert Kellerman, T.R. Ball, Richard Raish, Donald Hasselbach, Robert Ruffing, J. Richard Pollock, Mrs. Robert Canfield, Millie Tuttamore, Bud McKenzie, M.B. Denbow, Arthur D. Wolfe, Paul Callaghan, John Aigler, G.T. Billiard, Frank Johnson, S.N. Woodard, J.M. Strayer, and Mrs. Willard Miller.

Bellevue's Rotary Club initiated the effort to get Operation BAF off the ground. The Alumni Association and Boosters Club were also instrumental in securing the funds to pay for the project. Other clubs and organizations such as the Eagles, Elks, and American Legion to name a few helped out with donations and fund raising efforts.

Gene Milkie, along with Bill Oddo and Mike Tonovich, was part of the original group that founded the Bellevue Redmen Boosters Club.

"We flipped a coin to determine who would be the first president and Mike won," laughed Milkie. "Bill, Mike, and I continued to work for the Boosters over many years."

"In addition to helping with Operation BAF, we installed the all-weather track at a cost of about $80,000," recalled Milkie. "While most members of the community embraced the effort, I remember a few complaints about building the track during 'a bad economy' and that the project was too costly. I'm proud that we went ahead and got it done. In addition to the athletic teams, look at how many people in our community use the track to walk or jog. You have to keep planning for the future."

During the 1980s, the Athletic Boosters retooled their organization, changing their by-laws and earning 501(c)(3) status. Roger Paul was instrumental in getting the paperwork completed to earn non-profit, charitable status.

Ron Miller reflected on a host of projects the Boosters tackled in the 1980s.

"While I was president, a visiting player hurt his head after hitting the ground during a football game. The boosters immediately stepped up. After working out a deal with The Bellevue Hospital and with the help of Tibboles Well Drilling and Bob Waskielis, we were able to tap into two artesian wells on land owned by the hospital and install a sprinkler system at BAF," said Miller.

Working with Miller, Boosters Treasurer Roger Paul recalled spearheading fund-raisers to resurface the tennis courts, add windscreens to the perimeter of the tennis courts, and install handicap ramps at BAF.

"We also worked with Parks Alive Chairman Frank DeBlase to build the dugouts for both the baseball and softball teams," said Paul.

During this time, the Boosters also headed up a campaign to construct the current weight room.

Sue Green was the inaugural chairperson of the Boosters 200 Club.

"We used to collect a dollar a week from many members of our 200 Club. You can imagine the book-keeping and running around to keep up on the accounts," remarked Green.

Pat Manahan took over the chairperson duties in the 1980s and has managed the 200 Club ever since.

"Every little bit helps. Small donations can really added up," remarked Manahan.

Indeed they can. Over the last 30 years, 200 Club members have generated over $150,000 for the Boosters.

"A lot of people really value the role that sports plays in the life of our youth. Pat and I are proud of what the Boosters have accomplished," Green added.

Former Athletic Boosters President Bill Ruffing recalled the construction of the concession building at BAF and repainting the press box.

"I was out painting the back of the pressbox late one muggy August evening. I was getting eaten up by mosquitoes and was struggling to finish the job when I heard a voice from down below say, 'Good job. I'm glad someone is taking care of this place.' It was Charlie Sabo. It felt really good to know that I was doing my part to maintain the place that Charlie was so instrumental in building," said Ruffing.

Jannota & Herner, Jerry Christman, Ray Smythe, Ruffing's Plumbing and Heating, Otto's Refrigeration, members of the BSHS woodworking class, and many other volunteers pitched in to build the concessions building.

"I remember when I took over the Boosters from the old guard like Gene Milkie," Ruffing chuckled, "there was so much community spirit and enthusiasm. Downtown was a buzz on Friday nights with flags and signs all over the place. It would be great to recapture that spirit."

Rick Journey was president of the Boosters in the 1990s.

"We spent a lot of time trying to come up with a feasible plan to build a new weight room and relieve the overcrowding in our gym and workout areas. This was all over a decade ago. I take my hat off to the Athletic Boosters for bringing in the Gridiron Foundation and the two groups coming together to build this new weight room and athletic facility. I'm proud to continue to work with them and help with the fundraising efforts," Journey said.

Deb Myers is currently the only woman to have served as president of the Athletic Boosters. Commenting on the new Fieldhouse, Myers grinned, "How exciting for our male and female athletes and coaches to have access to this long overdue multi-purpose facility. This is definitely the premier of all capital improvement projects that we have taken on. Kudos to the Gridiron Foundation and Athletic Boosters for their teamwork and development of the Fieldhouse project."

Recently, the Bellevue Athletic Boosters and The Gridiron Foundation of Bellevue teamed up to secure a loan for the construction of the new Fieldhouse. The nearly 15,000 square foot building will house a new weight room and an artificial turfed workout area for strength and conditioning, running, throwing, and athletic training. Plans are to include a batting cage, golf practice mats and nets, and to provide an area for all athletic teams to field, throw, hit, condition, and practice. In addition, the Fieldhouse will provide a new locker room for the football and track teams, conference and meeting rooms, and public restrooms.

"All of our athletic programs benefit from this project," stated BSHS athletic director Brian Schubert. "In addition to creating more workout space and storage, the current weight room can now be used year round for the wrestling program. We are remodeling the existing boys locker rooms to better accommodate the baseball, basketball, and wrestling teams."

Bill Myers, current president of the Athletic Boosters, reiterated the construction of the Fieldhouse, like that of BAF 40 years ago, is completely funded by private donations. The school faces no liability for the loan secured by the Gridiron and the Boosters to pay for the project.

"We are fortunate to have so many generous individuals and companies working together to make this happen," said Myers.

Gridiron Foundation president Joe Green commented his group spearheaded the effort to erect the flag poles at BAF, install the 25-second clocks, repaint the light towers, and erect the sign display behind the visitors stands.

"We are pleased to work alongside the Boosters on the Fieldhouse. Bellevue's a great place and has a long tradition of showcasing our stellar athletic programs with first-rate facilities," said Green.

Green credited Jeff Haynes and Gene and Val Gore with the day-to-day oversight of the construction. In addition, Walcher & Fox, Thomas Steel, Capital Aluminum, H&H Plumbing and Heating, J&H Concrete, Solid Foundations, and Studer Masonry have generously contributed to the building.

"I'd also like to state that the individuals pictured above are only a small representation of the many individuals who deserve recognition. We tried to get a group of leaders of the Boosters together on short notice," Green added.

A line printed in The Bellevue Gazette in 1966 about Operation BAF rings just as true today concerning the Fieldhouse: "There is no doubt that this financial drive shows what can be done in Bellevue when everyone puts his shoulder to the wheel of progress." Anyone wishing to donate to the Fieldhouse project should contact a member of the Boosters or the Gridiron Foundation.