Bishop Caggiano Blesses Immaculate High School's New Field In Danbury

**News Release Submitted by Immaculate High School**

Mustang Valley has been the heart of Immaculate High School athletics – and now it has a whole new look.

Members of the school community, as well as local dignitaries like Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito, gathered for Bishop Frank J. Caggiano’s blessing of Immaculate’s new turf field and track complex on the morning of September 1. The improvements will provide more playing time for Immaculate student-athletes and was part of a capital campaign, Empowering Our Legacy Beyond Today, that coincided with the school’s 60th anniversary. Immaculate has been providing a rigorous, Catholic education to high school students in 28 communities in Connecticut and New York since 1962.
A mass was held inside the school’s Bobby Plumb Gymnasium before attendees visited the fields for the official blessing.

“This is an exciting time for all Mustangs as we usher in a new era for our student-athletes,” said Nelson Mingachos, Immaculate’s Athletic Director. “Our old track was home to many sporting events and years of camaraderie and sportsmanship but it was time for a makeover. Now, this beautiful complex will give us a chance to host more events and continue to support our amazing athletes in ways we couldn’t before.”

Immaculate is home to 27 varsity sports and has a tradition of athletic excellence that includes 48 conference championships and 37 state championships. “We are proud of our history of athletic achievement here at Immaculate,” said Principal and Acting President Wendy Neil. “And we are especially proud of how our students balance academic excellence and athletics as they develop into leaders.”

“We are so grateful to all the generous donors and stakeholders who helped make this dream come true,” said Joseph Draper, Chairperson of Immaculate’s Board of Directors. “We remain committed to supporting all the athletes and coaches in our Immaculate family and look forward to winning some championships on these fields!”

Immaculate’s capital campaign also includes other campus improvements and the establishment of a Robert E. Gerwien Sr. Scholarship Endowment Fund. Gerwien is a beloved, former longtime principal of the school. A fully endowed scholarship fund is critical to Immaculate's success because it provides a permanent funding source that will grow over time, allowing the school to provide financial support to the most deserving students today and in the future. You can learn more about the campaign here: https://www.immaculatehs.org/support-ihs/campaign