VASJ football: Vikings to unveil their new artificially turfed Gutbrod Field on Oct. 20

Oct. 19—The Villa Angela-St. Joseph football team has never had a home game like the one the Vikings will be playing on Oct. 20.

That's because "home game" and "VASJ football" don't often collide in the same sentence.

Thanks to massive financial support from alumni and donors, as well as an accelerated time schedule, VASJ will play it's first real home game when the Vikings host Cleveland Central Catholic on its brand-new artificial turf field on Oct. 20 at Gutbrod Field.

When ground was broken on June 20, many doubted the field would be ready for any games this season. But when the whistle blows on Friday night, it's game-time VASJ style.

"It's phenomenal," athletic director Jeff Teringo said. "We have alumni showing up at all times of the day just to come over, walk around and look at the field. They can't believe it. It's really beautiful."

Coach Jeff Rotsky has been part of plenty home openers during his career, but none quite like this. While his Vikings have been able to practice on the field for a number of weeks now, this will be the first time they'll get to play a game on the field.

"There's never been a home game here in 73 years," he said. "Never been one. But what a special event this is going to be. It's a validation for our kids. It's for all those who came before us."

The current phase of the project was the installation of artificial turf at Gutbroad Stadium, which previously had its grass surface at the mercy of Mother Nature's and Lake Erie's fury.

"Then the class of 1970 came forward and said, 'We're going to get your guys a scoreboard,'" Teringo said. "That was installed this week. Then some of our really generous alumni inquired about lights and said, 'We'll make that happen.' "

In a matter of less than four months, artificial turf, lights and a scoreboard have come to fruition.

"The next phase is our home stands," Teringo said. "Both the home and visiting stands will be on the same side. We'll also put some fencing around the facility. ... We are still in the fundraising part of that phase."

For the Oct. 20 game, additional seating was brought in for the fans who are attending.

The game is not only the real home opener, but it's also senior night for players, cheerleaders and trainers. Those festivities begin at 6:26 p.m., Teringo said, followed by a ribbon-cutting for the new field. Then it's game time.

"I'm so excited for our kids," Rotsky said. "It's the most beautiful field you'll ever see. The field, Lake Erie as a back-drop — we've gone from having an eyesore to the most beautiful place around."

Rotsky said the ability to practice — and play — right outside the school's doors benefits in more ways than one.

"Our kids have study table, meetings, film sessions," he said. "We're not traveling all over for practices anymore. Coaches aren't traveling all over. When you're 20 minutes away for practice and have to go there and come back, it's a challenge. It's so nice for the kids to come out of the locker room and have their field 100 feet away."

VASJ enters the game with a 6-3 record and has clinched a playoff berth in Division III, Region 9. A win against the 4-5 Ironmen could mean a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

"Our kids played their best game of the year last week," Rotsky said of the Vikings' 45-14 win at Akron SVSM. "I know they'll be excited for this week. We're going to invite our dads into the locker room before the game. We'll have 100 kids in uniform. It's going to be an amazing night."

Cleveland Central Catholic at VASJ

When: 7 p.m., Oct. 20

Where: Gutbrod Field

Records: Cleveland Central Catholic 4-5, VASJ 6-3