Waverly Stadium Project

[smurray]

If the funds come in the visitors side will be replaced.

[Omega]

I believe the old seating capacity at Radiger Field was 1,970 (pre-pressbox days)
without any temporary seats. Any word on how many seats the new facility will
hold? Home side and eventually visitors side?

[Flashing Cursor]

Hope they don't change the name of the field...
from News Watchmen
Athletic Field Name Selected-Combination Playground To Be Called Raidiger Field, Board Decides
This is a partial reprint of a story found on the front page of The Waverly Watchman dated June 9, 1949, complete with the same headlines.
As a glowing and everlasting tribute to the memory of one of Waverly High School's finest and most loved athletes, the Waverly Board of Education this week passed a resolution to name the recently completed athletic field Raidiger Field in honor of the late Robert Lee Raidiger. The action was taken by the groups in the hope that it will serve to keep before Waverly citizens and students the fine principles for which he stood, the good sportsmanship which he always showed and the example of clean living that he presented as a fine athlete and an equally fine youth. It is also understood that the Board will have a proper dedication ceremony at some future Waverly High School contest.
He was "just a 'big kid' everyone knew and liked"
Robert Lee Raidiger was living the dream of many Ohio kids. It started with a stellar high school career at Waverly, where he starred at center for the Tigers and coach John Caldwell. He received numerous accolades, including being named to the First Team, All Tournament Team after his final high school game in the 1945 Class B Districts. After graduation, he served a one-year stint in the Navy (plating on the varsity baseball team in Shoemaker, Calif.) before entering The Ohio state University to major in education and continue his playing days. He pitched for the Buckeye's baseball team, but it was as a member of the basketball team that his talent gained nationwide recognition. He played two years on the varsity team, was named honorary captain and received Big 10 recognition for his play at the center position. The dream came to an end on the evening of May 21, 1949, when, just before midnight, Raidiger was killed in an auto accident just southeast of Columbus. At just 21 years of age, the life and career of a young man once referred to as "the idol of Waverly" came to a tragic conclusion. The Waverly Watchman (May 26, 1949 edition) included the following words in their coverage of the story: "Bob was one of Waverly's greatest athletes and was the idol of youngsters throughout this section. His untimely death cuts short one of the most promising careers, and takes away a true friend to everyone...just a "big kid" everyone knew and liked."

[smurray]

I have no idea if they will keep the field named after Raidager but if a major contributor pays for turf I imagine they would want it called "....... Field". Jackson's field is "Holzer Field" as Holzer Hospital funded it. To me a new field in a new stadium would bring a new name just as the field house will be named after the major donor.

Many Waverly folks wonder why the gym has never been named after the late C.D. Hawhee.

[Flashing Cursor]

Well, if they ever get rid of the old photos of him hanging in the lobby I'd like to get my hands on them. I have several family mementos including the posthumous Big 10 Basketball Championship Gold Ball and a smaller version of the one of the pictures over the concession stand.

If they don't name the gym after Hawhee soon the current generation will forget who he was too...

[bookem13]

There is no intention to remove the name "Raidiger Field" regardless of the donor situation. If we get a major donor for the stadium, it would probably be called "_____________ Stadium at Raidiger Field." As far as the photo of Hawhee, Cursor, you'd have to break in commando style to remove that from the wall. Even though the gym isn't officially named after him (which does surprise me that it isn't), to the old guard it will always be "Hawhee's Palace." I do know what you mean, though, about preserving his memory for future generations. Every athlete should know the tradition of their program, especially when it includes a legend such as he. The ones that come before us create tradition and expectations that push the future generations to excellence.

[smurray]

Hoping to hear more exciting news soon. I believe there is a meeting today with another prospective donor.

[4thgoal]

Hoping to hear more exciting news soon. I believe there is a meeting today with another prospective donor.

So the old stadium is gone and they are still securing funds to build the new one?

[smurray]

4th n Goal,
The home bleachers are history and funding is there to build new ones. Funding is there for the new field house which will house home lockerrooms, restrooms and concession. The building next to the current visitor bleachers will be transformed into the visitor locker room. Additional funding is being sought for the entire project which includes visitor bleachers, turf, track, tennis courts, parking, ect.
This was originally a three year/three phase project.

[steppinontoes]

The current phase of the facility project includes a fieldhouse, visitor lockerroom, home stadium, and public restrooms. With the commitment of Kevin Ross(Capitol ATM) to build the field house and appropriation of funds for visitor lockerroom, this project is well on its way. The majority of funds have been raised for the stadium and restrooms, but we are not there yet. We still need contributions to finish this. A bold step was taken by tearing the stadium down, and I am proud of our administration for taking that step. The old stadium was in awful condition and was absolutely unsafe. There are some big things on the horizon pertaining to funding...Check back for updates...Coming soon..A NEW BREED OF TIGER!!! :

[ohiostbucks99]

i hope this fund allows you to get better officiating instead of the homegrown

[jackyl]

Anything new?

[smurray]

Word is hoping to begin transforming the building beside the visitor bleachers into the visitor locker room as early as next week. They were hoping the ground would be frozen to make it easier for vehicles to get back there but January weather hasnt shown up yet.

[smurray]

Work to begin on the field house soon. Word is there is an important meeting coming up that could result in the entire project being completed.

[Bandwagoner]

not to get off the subject off the new facilties, but are the tigers gonna have any talent to put fans in the stands? i know they have bolin-hitchens, and underwood can play. but theyre losing ward, knight, howard, hensley, mccain, and corcoran.

[crazymidgets]

Never any problem with Waverly putting people in the stands they support their team win or lose, even on down yrs they will fill them up and they travel well also usually having just as many people on the visitors side as the home teams. That being said Rusty has his work cut out for him over the next couple of yrs, Trevon is a top notch qb but will lose most of his line his rb and most of his receivers, and i believe they had 3 other seniors who started on defense Harris, Ricards and Russell along with the aforementioned seniors who some played both way ways. Good luck to Rusty he is a stand up guy and is willing to go the extra mile for the kids and thats not something you can say about all coaches nowadays.

[smurray]

Bristol Village buying the old Waverly North school property and those funds going to this project will help tremendously. When is construction going to begin? There has been a lot of good weather with nothing being done.

[smurray]

Saw some work going on this morning with the visitor locker room. Hope to see action soon on the bleachers and field house. It's a shame the visitors bleachers are not being replaced yet. They are much older than the home ones were. Need more corporate donors.

[steppinontoes]

With the sale of North, we have secured the finances to finish the 1st phase of the project. This includes renovation of the annex building to a visitor lockerroom, a fieldhouse, and home stands including the press box. This has been a long road, and would not have been possible without the cooperation of the Board of Education, Facilities committee, and generous donations from local businesses. The goal for completion of this project is July 1st...I expect signifigant work to begin in the next few weeks. Go TIGERS!!!

[smurray]

That is great news. Now hopefully more funding will come in for visitor bleachers. Looking forward to seeing the construction process.