Thu Feb 09 2012
Blasting Post
by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
One of my first assignments after I became sports editor in 2002 was to cover Nordonia football in the Division II state semifinal.
Two things struck me about that contest.
First, the Knights pulled out a 12-10 win over Olmsted Falls despite the game being played in blizzard conditions.
Second, a crowd of Nordonia fans braved the brutal conditions to see their boys win at Byers Field.
Since then, the whole atmosphere around Nordonia football has never failed to impress me.
Nordonia always had excellent fan support, a wonderful band and usually a very good football team.
It had all the elements for a great "Friday Night Lights" experience -- with one exception.
The old Boliantz Stadium was already an aging relic by the time the Knights made their run to the state final in 2002.
The home stands were rotting wood on top of a metal frame.
The field itself was in decent shape, but the cinder track was all but unusable for track meets.
What about the press box? Let's say it was cramped, stuffy and those of us who worked inside joked a stiff wind might be enough to knock it over.
I've heard some derisively refer to the old Boliantz Stadium as "The Mistake by Route 8."
As of Friday night, however, such descriptions are a thing of the past.
The new Boliantz Stadium is the equal of any in Northeast Ohio.
The new FieldTurf-based field will hold up better than grass for football.
The all-weather track is a huge improvement.
Metal stands, a new press box and new locker rooms should make this wonderful place for football for years to come.
It's no less than Nordonia football and its fans deserve.
Like most things with Nordonia football, building the stadium was a community effort.
Along with private donations, the backbone of funding for the stadium came from a levy passed in November 2008.
The fact the levy passed at the beginning of the recession shows how much the Nordonia community values football and other sports.
The schools made sure to thank the community during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
Representatives from all five Nordonia communities were on hand for the ceremony -- with former Nordonia superintendent William Boliantz himself doing the honors.
Not surprisingly, Nordonia fans came out in force for the event. A standing-room-only crowd of more than 4,000 turned up and the noise they created literally shook the new stands on several occasions.
Current superintdentdent Wayne Blankenship was all smiles when he reflected on night one of the new stadium.
"It's been fantastic," Blankenship said. "I can't thank the community enough for making this happen."
Even Maple Heights head coach Todd Filtz called the new stadium "beutiful."
Filtz's Mustangs put a damper on opening night by scoring a pair of late touchdowns to grab a 26-14 win.
Nordonia coach Al Huge said his team had some work to do if its wanted to accomplish its goals this season.
At least that work can now take place in a stadium worthy of Nordonia's football tradition.
E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
The-News-Leader.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications