Why a stadium, why now?

Youngstown City School District has an opportunity to renovate the historic Rayen Stadium providing students and families with a home field for the first time since 1993 and contributing to the rejuvenation of the inner core of the city of Youngstown. Some may ask why we need a stadium, how it benefits our students and why we should do this now.

Achievement remains the priority

First, let me be very clear, my highest priority is improving the academic achievement of each and every student in Youngstown city schools. If all children were alike, teaching and learning would be easy. But, as any parent knows, they are not. Each child learns differently, each has unique needs, and each is motivated to learn through his or her interests and passions.

My first act as superintendent was to revitalize our schools and programs to offer students more choice and opportunity to pursue an education that reflects their personal interests. Science, law, business, education, the arts and skilled trades are just some of the options our students now enjoy. Specialized initiatives within our schools focus on academic, social and behavioral needs and keep students on pace for graduation. We know sports, band and extracurricular activities round out the whole child and often shape those special memories we hold dear as adults.

There is plenty of research showing positive links between athletics and academics. Motor-skill development, teambuilding, a healthy exercise program, and a positive release mechanism for anger, academic or home stresses are just a few. Student accountability comes into play each week when the coach checks with teachers to assure each athlete is passing five full credits and remains eligible to play. When families and friends gather on game day to cheer on their athlete, there is a rise in family bonding, school pride, student confidence, and community spirit.

For students, families and community

Youngstown is one of a few urban school districts without a stadium. All our games are played on the road, from Cleveland to Columbus, and many families do not have the means to travel to the games. A new stadium gives Youngstown inner-city youth, their families and friends the same opportunities that suburban children already enjoy. I ask you, should Youngstown students be treated any differently?

We will use the renovated stadium for both middle and high school football teams, and restore soccer and other sports. When the stadium is not in use, we will open it to youth flag football, football leagues, minor league pro-football, local soccer teams and parochial schools.

We will be building more than a stadium; we will be providing a centralized gathering place for families across the city, growing a fan base for our athletic teams, and contributing to the rejuvenation of the city.

Why now?

Over the past two years, the district has done its homework and made great strides toward raising the $3 million required to renovate Rayen Stadium. Community buy-in is strong and enthusiastic. We are excited to have Jim Tressel and Rev. Dr. Lewis Macklin as fundraising co-chairs, as well as a committee of outstanding community leaders who believe in this project.

We believe we can get the stadium ready for play by 2012, and have already raised 40 percent of our goal. The board of education allocated $1 million of its remaining school construction funds — money that can only be used for construction and no other purpose. The Rayen Foundation committed $200,000 for naming rights of the stadium, and other local foundations, corporations and individuals have pledged future support.

If we don’t move forward now, the opportunity may be lost forever. Don’t our children and community deserve it?

Connie Hathorn, Ph.D., is superintendent of the Youngstown City School District.