Field of Dreams a Reality For Mamaroneck High School

Orange and black balloons—the official colors of athletic teams—formed an arch to welcome the crowd Saturday to the school’s grand opening of its new Memorial Athletic Field.

The field boasts all-weather turf, a drainage system, lights for evening games and temporary removable bleachers until permanent ones are in place. Eventually, a new scoreboard will be installed. This is a marked improvement over the previous field, which had limitations ranging from flooding due to inadequate drainage to lack of lighting for night play. The project was a year and a half in the making.

Kevin Danehy, a MHS parent and board member of Fields for Kids, led the project team for the construction of the new field. “This is a great example of what happens when the public and private sectors partner,” he said before the ceremony. The State of New York, the Mamaroneck School District, private donations, various donations from local athletic leagues and Larchmont-Mamaroneck Fields for Kids—a community-based organization dedicated to raising money for safe playing fields—all were integral in providing the funding for the field’s construction. The total cost for the project is estimated to be approximately $2 million.

The renovation——was paid for, in part, by a $250,000 grant secured by State Assemblyman George Latimer and a $500,000 contribution from the district which was approved in 2004. 

A steady crowd spanning young to older generations streamed in to take their seats on the bleachers, and some stood to get a glimpse of the new field. The ceremony kicked off with The Force—MHS’s drum corps—marching in. The school’s Swing Choir then lent their voices to the National Anthem. Mamaroneck District School Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps gave the opening remarks, with a brief history of the field. Built on the original site of a quarry, it was first dedicated in October, 1952 to those who served in our armed forces.  The school’s athletic department then re-dedicated the Rainaldi Plaque, which honors former MHS coach Michael Rainaldi.

Anticipation mounted as the actual ribbon cutting ceremony got underway. The crowd then was treated to a performance by the school’s award-winning cheerleaders showing some impressive moves. Then it was time for the first varsity boy's lacrosse game on the newly dedicated field, between Mamaroneck and Ardsley.