Grand Reopening For Cardinal Stadium To Be Held Saturday

GREENWICH, CT — Talk about a homecoming.

Greenwich High School will welcome back the football team in dramatic fashion on Saturday with the official grand reopening of Cardinal Stadium.

Before the Cardinals (5-2) host the Stamford High School Black Knights (0-8) at 1 p.m, the day will begin with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance of the stadium at 10:30 a.m., with pregame festivities, including the Senior Day celebration, scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.

A special homecoming halftime ceremony will take place featuring the GHS Cheer and Dance Team and recognition for the Cardinal Spirit Court.

The Cardinal Stadium Improvement Project's first phase — 1A and 1B — had been under construction for months.

The home bleachers, which had been condemned and closed because of code violations before they were replaced, were reopened last month in a soft-opening for the Cardinals against Fairfield Prep.

Phase 1A included the construction of a press box, elevator, new bathrooms and a team room below the bleachers. Phase 1B included the addition of new lights on existing poles, handicap parking, and an entry kiosk.

Phase 2 would include construction of an access road from East Putnam Avenue, but plans haven't been finalized.

Former GHS rugby coach and current Board of Education member and committee liaison Joe Kelly said some small detail work still needs to be finished, but otherwise the major construction is finished.

"This is such a special time for all Greenwich High School students and a culmination of hard work and collaboration of so many people in our town," Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools Dr. Toni Jones said in a news release Friday afternoon.

"A special thanks to the Town of Greenwich staff, BOE member and Committee Liaison Joe Kelly, GPS staff, BOE, Board of Estimate and Taxation, and Representative Town Meeting elected officials, and patrons who have supported this project. All of the members of the GHS stadium reopening committee have done a tremendous job organizing our festivities."

Kelly said the most important factor for him throughout the project was making it possible for the student-athletes to play home games in Cardinal Stadium.

"After our big victory at the soft opening in October, Greenwich Football, Greenwich athletes, and GHS graduates are excited to have a proper venue for families and friends to celebrate their accomplishments," Kelly said in a news release. "This field is hallowed ground with a great history of blood, sweat, and tears. The memories and life lessons learned are carried for a lifetime. The experiences enjoyed by all ages make this a valuable asset to the residents of our town.

“The stadium is now built to the high standards appropriate for Greenwich. It was my honor to work with all the town departments and multiple individuals who contributed to the construction of Cardinal Stadium. I look forward to many Cardinal victories ahead."