Penn-Ohio game to test new turf

Reeves Stadium will be completely overhauled over the next year.

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — The Penn-Ohio high school football all-star game Friday night will be the first event on Geneva College’s new field at Reeves Stadium.

Prior to the 7:30 p.m., Geneva College and Beaver Falls High School will recognize those who had a hand in helping to finalize the first phase of Geneva’s stadium renovation project.

Geneva president Dr. Ken Smith, along with Beaver Falls superintendent Donna Nugent, will address the crowd and introduce several dignitaries who will be on hand for the ceremony. Scheduled to appear, among others, are representatives from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The National Football League played a big role in helping to finance the project with the help of the Steelers organization.

Geneva’s stadium renovation project, which also included new visitor bleachers this year, is far from complete. Reeves Stadium will continue its overhaul after the 2007 football season with new home stands, new restrooms, new concession stands and a new press box. The complete renovation project is to be completed prior to the kickoff of the 2008 season.

“We are ecstatic with our new playing surface,” said Geneva football coach and athletic director Geno DeMarco. “The Penn-Ohio game has such a great tradition in this area and I couldn’t think of a better setting to unveil our new field.”

The new synthetic turf field was made possible, in part, by a $200,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the National Football League Players Association and the NFL’s Grassroots program. The Grassroots program is a partnership between the NFL Youth Football Fund and Local Initiatives Support Cooperation (LISC), the nation’s leading community development support organization.