Oshkosh West homecoming game will mark dedication of new Robert H. Meronk Track and Field
Correction: This story has been updated from an earlier version to correctly reflect Robert "Bob" Meronk's coaching experience. A previous version incorrectly reported he also served as an assistant girls' basketball coach, but he did not, the district said.
OSHKOSH - A new location and start time for the Oshkosh West High School homecoming football game will allow the community to recognize and celebrate the impact of the late Robert H. Meronk.
The Oshkosh West homecoming football game Sept. 29 will be played on school grounds, at the new Robert H. Meronk Track and Field off Westfield Avenue. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m.
One of the highlights of the evening will be the public dedication of the new multipurpose turf field during halftime. School and district leaders will welcome Meronk’s family for the event.
Robert “Bob” Meronk, who passed away in 2015, was inducted into the Oshkosh West Wall of Fame in 2013. He served as a physical education teacher at Oshkosh West from 1974 to 2003. He was an assistant football coach from 1974 to 1991, and head football coach from 1992 to 2002, leading the Wildcats to their first three playoff appearances in school history — in 1996 (for the 1996-1997 school year), 2000 and 2002.
Meronk was the Fox Valley Association Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2000. He was also involved in the girls’ track program at West, serving as head coach in 1976 and 1977 and again from 1982 to 2009, leading the Wildcats to 11 FVA championships, eight regional championships, five sectional championships and an Indoor State Meet title in 1999.
He was also the boys’ varsity basketball coach from 1977 to 1979, and a JV boys’ basketball coach from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1987 to 1988.
Obituary: Maronk remembered for passion as a teacher and coach
Temporary bleachers will be used at the Sept. 29 game to increase seating options at the field. For this game, home seating for Oshkosh West spectators will be on the east side of the field. Visitor seating for Appleton East spectators will be on the west side of the field below the press box. Bleacher seating will be limited, and attendees are encouraged to take lawn chairs. Lawn chair seating will be available around the outside perimeter of the track fence.
Parking will be available on nearby streets and in the main Oshkosh West student parking lot. The Oshkosh West staff parking lot off Southland Avenue will be reserved for accessible parking only. Spectators can enter the field area via two ticket booths at the main entrance off Westfield Avenue and the North parking lot entrance.
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Before the game, food trucks will be on site and the annual homecoming parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. The parade will follow a modified parade route around the school.
Aside from this homecoming game, Oshkosh West varsity football games will continue to be held at Titan Stadium for the foreseeable future. This exception was made to commemorate the dedication of the new field, the school district said in a news release.
Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh West homecoming will mark dedication of Robert H. Meronk Field
