Austin Prep christens new stadium with fanfare and a victory

More than 1,600 people turned out to help Austin Preparatory School in Reading celebrate the opening of its new $3.7 million stadium athletic complex on November 25, before the Annual Thanksgiving Football Game against Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.

The crowd included current families, alumni and their families, faculty and staff, members of the Board of Trustees, school administrators, town officials and friends of the school. Attendees could barely contain their excitement as former Board Chairman Anthony J. Pimentel of Plymouth cut the ceremonial ribbon before the start of the game.

“This field has been a central gathering place for the Austin Prep community for more than 50 years,” Headmaster James Hickey of Andover said. “Fr. Seymour Field is a focal point of our community. And it should be. We have much to celebrate and much to be thankful for.”

The stadium boasts synthetic turf, permanent lighting, a 400-meter track and accompanying infrastructure (shot put, discus, pole vault, high jump, long jump and triple jump), and bleacher seating for 1,100. There is a concession stand building equipped with permanent restroom facilities and a green space area. For the first time, there is a fence surrounding the stadium.

On behalf of Austin Prep’s 710 students, Student Council Secretary Emily O’Connor of Reading, a senior, thanked everyone who contributed to making the new stadium a reality.

“Your investment in Austin Prep students and the athletic program is appreciated more than words can describe,” she said. “This stadium will be home to many Austin Prep athletes, both male and female, and we all reap the benefit and share in the pride of this state-of-the-art stadium being our home.”

The Austin Prep Cougars defeated the Lynn Tech Tigers 41-26.