For the first time in four years, Seton Catholic home games won't involve thousands of dollars, other drivers or someone else's schedule.
The school's new stadium opens for business tonight when the Sentinels (3-2) host Williams Field (4-0), essentially concluding a three-year project.
After the 2006 season, the previous stadium was torn down to make room for a new chapel. In 2008, private donations/funding began to expedite a new stadium effort, with the home team's bleachers, press box, scoreboard and a new track circling the field already completed.
Other amenities, including more restrooms, fences, concessions, are continuing to be built. Since Seton is part of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, all funds were raised privately through donations and fundraisers.
Meanwhile, the Sentinels played almost all their home games at Mesa Community College since 2007. That worked well except when it came to transportation costs each season, locker rooms and trying to schedule games because of field availability.
There will be a pregame ceremony and benediction beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt - whose son, Kenny, played football and graduated from the school last year - will do the official coin toss.
