An auspicious return to Rayen

An auspicious return to Rayen

Most area high schools spent this weekend opening their football season and, inevitably, there were winners and losers.

On Saturday, the Youngstown City School District opened a new era at Judge William Rayen Stadium, and almost everything about the day registered in the win column — from the dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. to the sold-out opening game between the East High Panthers and the Ursuline Irish (details in sports).

The theme for the day was “The Comeback is Complete,” and almost 30 years after the Rayen School stadium hosted its last regular football season, Opening Day 2012 lived up to its billing.

Every seat was filled, every inch of standing room was taken and hundreds of people lined up around the fence to watch the game and the half-time performance. The East High band was able to do something that hadn’t been done for a generation: march onto what was truly their home field.

Dr. Connie Hathorn, superintendent of schools, saw it not just as a victory for the school district, but for the city, which made it possible.

Less than a year ago, the Rayen Stadium Renovation Project Committee announced its plan, and yesterday that plan became a reality in a way that had to exceed everyone’s expectations.

There are those who will attempt to diminish the importance of the stadium. But, as Dr. Hathorn says, athletics is a part of academic success. Students who participate learn lessons about perseverance, discipline, hard work and goal-setting that carry over into the classroom.

Last year, East played 10 of its football games on the road. This year, players, students and alumni have a place to call home. Congratulations are due to all who made it possible.