September 7, 1986: Football Team Initiates Brand-New Memorial Stadium

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA

September 7, 1986: The Boyertown area High School football team opened its 1986 season against the traditional rival, Upper Perk, in the brand-new Memorial Stadium. A packed, enthusiastic crowd jammed into the complex to view the completely renovated facility.

Dr. John Lignelli, chairman of the Boyertown Area Schools Sports Complex committee, received a well-deserved standing ovation as he formally presented it to the school district.

In turn, Michael Kulp, President of the School Board, awarded Lignelli a game ball mounted on a plaque, expressing the gratitude of the entire community for his efforts in creating the complex.

This marked the culmination of Year One in a three-year program to update the senior high school’s athletic facilities, preparing three athletic fields for field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, gym classes, practice fields, an eight-lane track, and the main arena for football.

The new home-side grandstand has a seating capacity of 3000, a press box, and a new sound system. There are new lights, concession stands, and public rest rooms, as well as field event pits. Phase two will include new visitors’ stands and locker rooms.

The architect is Thomas Farmer and the general contractor is Ken Ellis, both of whom are donating their services to the district.

This new complex replaced “the least desirable facility in the Ches-Mont League,” with the original grandstand built in 1939 and an inadequate track.

The gridiron game that followed the ceremony was a cliff-hanger, unfortunately with the Bears falling four yards short of winning the game as the clock ran out.

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