After two decades of quiet, a historic stadium in Yates Center is roaring back to life! See how dedicated volunteers and spirited students banded together to bring this beloved landmark back for football. What memories will be made on these hallowed grounds this Friday?

The Yates Center community recently embarked on a remarkable journey to restore the historic DeLay Stadium, bringing the venerable sports ground back to life after nearly two decades of disuse. This ambitious endeavor, driven by a profound sense of local pride and a desire to honor the past, culminated in the stadium’s rededication as part of the town’s significant 150th-anniversary celebration.

For almost twenty years, DeLay Stadium stood largely silent, superseded by a newer athletic facility on the west edge of town. However, the echoes of past glories are set to resonate once more as the stadium prepares to host its first high school-sponsored event in nearly two decades—a highly anticipated football jamboree featuring Sedan and Hartford. This event symbolizes a powerful connection between generations of Yates Center residents.

The revitalization effort saw an outpouring of dedication from dozens of Yates Center community volunteers and enthusiastic high school students. Their collective commitment was evident as they feverishly worked to restore DeLay Stadium to its former glory, tackling tasks ranging from painting the concession stand to extensive landscaping. This collaborative spirit underscored the deep-rooted importance of the stadium to the town’s identity.

According to Yates Center football coach Ryan Panko, the stadium’s rich history played a crucial role in the decision to save it from potential sale. “It doesn’t get used a lot and it has some history behind it,” Panko remarked, highlighting the stadium’s enduring legacy since the current facility opened in 2006. His advocacy was pivotal in convincing the community that DeLay Stadium still possessed significant value and potential for future use.

The origins of DeLay Stadium trace back to a Work Progress Administration (WPA) project initiated under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Brand New Deal.” This Depression-era initiative not only provided much-needed employment but also created a lasting community asset that served Yates Center for over sixty years, hosting football games and various other civic activities. The stadium stands as a testament to American resilience and collective effort.

Initially, the scale of the restoration seemed daunting, as the facility required comprehensive repairs including new paint, extensive debris removal, and significant landscaping to meet modern high school football standards. However, the overwhelming response from the Yates Center community and the football players themselves quickly alleviated any anxieties, transforming a challenging task into a shared triumph.

The upcoming rededication of DeLay Stadium promises a heartfelt “throwback to the old days,” as described by Coach Panko. The football players will officially rededicate the stadium to Mr. Calvin DeLay, the individual instrumental in its completion. This ceremony not only honors DeLay’s contributions but also reconnects the current team with the stadium’s storied past, creating a unique moment for the entire community.

For Yates Center Wildcats senior football player Blake Morrison, the opportunity to be among the first to run onto the revitalized field in 19 years is particularly significant. He expressed immense excitement about following in the footsteps of previous Wildcats who played on the same hallowed grounds for decades, underscoring the profound sense of continuity and tradition that the project embodies.

This remarkable undertaking by Yates Center volunteers and students is more than just the renovation of a sports facility; it represents a powerful reaffirmation of community spirit and a dedication to preserving local heritage. The revival of DeLay Stadium ensures that a vital piece of Yates Center’s history will continue to serve new generations, reinforcing the bonds that tie the community together through shared experiences and enduring traditions.