EAST WALNUT HILLS - Since opening in 1928, Purcell Marian High School has played on many football fields. None of them were their own.The Cavaliers have produced NFL talent like Hall of Famer and Heisman winner Roger Staubach and Terry Killens. They won an Ohio state championship in 1986 playing at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.But, regardless of being the home team, they've always traveled.In recent years, Purcell Marian used the University of Cincinnati's Sheakley Center. Last season they used Marx Stadium on the campus of Walnut Hills when the Eagles weren't at home. Current plans call for continued games there or at Norwood's Shea Stadium. But, hope is on the way as Purcell Marian has announced plans for a stadium of their own. An adjacent lot has been purchased as well as the property of the Gilligan Funeral Home on Woodburn Avenue. A project estimated at roughly $3 million could have the Cavaliers marching from their own locker room to an on-campus stadium in a couple of years. The stadium is independent of all school fundraising and specific plans will be released in the coming months.D.J. Dowdy is a former University of Cincinnati tight end who now serves as athletic director at Purcell Marian, as well as head football coach. "It's been a long-talked-about thing," Dowdy said of the endeavor. "For us given the times right now to be able to acquire those two properties is a big deal."The Cavaliers do have a practice field next to the school but it's approximately three-quarters of a regulation field if that. Prior to its construction, Purcell Marian football players were bused to Eden Park to practice on grass that sometimes would contain uncomfortable rocks.The new facility will offer convenience and be enticing to future and former Cavaliers to see. The ground will have to be leveled before the field, the stands and the lights can be installed The project is still in Phase 1, according to Dowdy.A formal groundbreaking is ahead and certainly a campaign for funds. Obviously, once demolition of the stadium property starts and construction begins, the practice field space will also go away with efforts moved to the new field."We'll break ground on it this year," Dowdy said. "We've always been travelers having to play here and play there. An opportunity for us to bring sports on campus is good for the school. It's even better for our kids. Our kids have a place to call home now, a place they can take pride in and really own."Last season's 4-5 record was as close as the Cavaliers have been to a winning mark in some time. It also included a pair of playoff victories. Dowdy's hope is that some of the young players get to experience more wins, particularly in the new facility."It's a very exciting time over here on Hackberry (Street)," Dowdy said. "You look at the neighboring schools around us. They all have the facilities and fields on campus. For us to have this it's pretty big for our kids and the kids coming." Source link
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