http://www.beverlyreview.net/sports/article_f513966a-02f4-11e9-a7f4-bb30d392e36a.html
I want this to be like the old Orange Bowl.
I want this to be like the old Orange Bowl.
MC's New Stadium
- Thread starter DeanOfSelection
- Start date
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Does your family own this Weekly? ;-)
When Mt. Carmel High School decided to host several football games during the 2018 season on its campus at 64th Street and Dante Avenue, Mt. Carmel Athletic Director Dan LaCount began the preparations.
First order of business was figuring out where to put the spectators.
“I was out there last spring with a tape measure,” LaCount said. “We wanted to see what we could do with temporary seating.”
The excitement created by the home games, LaCount said, quickly sparked interest in expanding the stadium.
“The alums really enjoyed what they saw,” he said, “and it really lit a fire to begin the process.”
On Dec. 12, the city of Chicago approved a grant of privilege for Mt. Carmel to construct bleachers and improve the existing athletic field on 65th Street.
LaCount said officials expect the bleachers to be installed and ready for the Brown and White scrimmage in mid-August to start the 2019 season.
Bleachers, upgraded lighting and a press box are among the first phase of the school’s plan to upgrade Carey Field.
Plans for the 2020 season include replacing the synthetic turf and building a new concession stand and bathroom facilities.
For decades, Mt. Carmel has played its games at Gately Stadium, a Chicago Park District facility at 744 E. 103rd St.
Coach Jordan Lynch said playing home games at Mt. Carmel will continue to benefit the school.
“This felt like the next step we had to do. This brings more kids on campus, and it’s better for the school,” Lynch said. “We can truly have a home atmosphere now. To play here and have those ‘Friday Night Lights’ where the student section can pack the stands, it’s a great thing to do.”
LaCount said the expected stadium capacity is 2,000.
Mt. Carmel played four home games on campus this fall, posting wins over De La Salle, St. Ignatius and Fenwick and a Providence Catholic forfeit.
Temporary bleachers were installed for those games on the north sideline. The new set-up will have bleachers on both sidelines and in the end zones.
“This gives us a chance to do things our way on campus,” Lynch said. “We want to set up a tough environment where no one is going to want to play at Mt. Carmel. We’ll have fans packed right on top of the game.”
The Caravan finished 11-2 in Lynch’s first year as coach of his alma mater, advancing to the Class-7A state semifinals.
LaCount said the response to the home games has been positive.
“We can now have alums come back and host events around the games,” LaCount said. “Everyone has a home field. Well, we’re catching up now, and we’re excited about it.”
As for leaving Gately Stadium, Lynch said it will take some getting used to because of the long history Mt. Carmel has at that venue.
“I’m going to miss playing at Gately. I grew up watching games there and obviously played there, too,” Lynch said. “It’s a place with a ton of tradition, but this was a no-brainer. We wanted the kids to buy in, and they did. They loved it. We felt right at home with a great atmosphere.”
First order of business was figuring out where to put the spectators.
“I was out there last spring with a tape measure,” LaCount said. “We wanted to see what we could do with temporary seating.”
The excitement created by the home games, LaCount said, quickly sparked interest in expanding the stadium.
“The alums really enjoyed what they saw,” he said, “and it really lit a fire to begin the process.”
On Dec. 12, the city of Chicago approved a grant of privilege for Mt. Carmel to construct bleachers and improve the existing athletic field on 65th Street.
LaCount said officials expect the bleachers to be installed and ready for the Brown and White scrimmage in mid-August to start the 2019 season.
Bleachers, upgraded lighting and a press box are among the first phase of the school’s plan to upgrade Carey Field.
Plans for the 2020 season include replacing the synthetic turf and building a new concession stand and bathroom facilities.
For decades, Mt. Carmel has played its games at Gately Stadium, a Chicago Park District facility at 744 E. 103rd St.
Coach Jordan Lynch said playing home games at Mt. Carmel will continue to benefit the school.
“This felt like the next step we had to do. This brings more kids on campus, and it’s better for the school,” Lynch said. “We can truly have a home atmosphere now. To play here and have those ‘Friday Night Lights’ where the student section can pack the stands, it’s a great thing to do.”
LaCount said the expected stadium capacity is 2,000.
Mt. Carmel played four home games on campus this fall, posting wins over De La Salle, St. Ignatius and Fenwick and a Providence Catholic forfeit.
Temporary bleachers were installed for those games on the north sideline. The new set-up will have bleachers on both sidelines and in the end zones.
“This gives us a chance to do things our way on campus,” Lynch said. “We want to set up a tough environment where no one is going to want to play at Mt. Carmel. We’ll have fans packed right on top of the game.”
The Caravan finished 11-2 in Lynch’s first year as coach of his alma mater, advancing to the Class-7A state semifinals.
LaCount said the response to the home games has been positive.
“We can now have alums come back and host events around the games,” LaCount said. “Everyone has a home field. Well, we’re catching up now, and we’re excited about it.”
As for leaving Gately Stadium, Lynch said it will take some getting used to because of the long history Mt. Carmel has at that venue.
“I’m going to miss playing at Gately. I grew up watching games there and obviously played there, too,” Lynch said. “It’s a place with a ton of tradition, but this was a no-brainer. We wanted the kids to buy in, and they did. They loved it. We felt right at home with a great atmosphere.”
Nothing against Lynch as a coach, but somebody needs to explain the whole Lenti thing to us outsiders who just can't make any sense of it. Maybe not today, but someday.
Getting too old?
Too set in his ways?
Needed a more modern offense?
Losing his edge?
etc...
Getting too old?
Too set in his ways?
Needed a more modern offense?
Losing his edge?
etc...
I'm an outsider but here is the skinny:
Getting too old? Yes
Too set in his ways? Definitively yes
Needed a more modern offense? YESSSSSSS
Losing his edge? No
It happened a year ago today....Dec 29th... I can write a novel about everything I've learned the past year on this, maybe someday I will, but I'm going to let this severely beaten horse rest in peace. It was a stressful few months to start 2018 for myself and all MC alums, faculty, parents, students and football players and I'm glad it's over and I'm glad everyone landed on their feet. After all the smoke cleared, life went on at MC and for Coach Frank.