Gilroy Unified School District ultimately contributed $ 330,000 for the all-weather track , and additional funds for soil improvements critical to meeting the project ’ s engineering and construction requirements .
Christopher High School friends and family and the local community have also played a big role in the development of the Sports Complex . Corporate sponsors Pinnacle Bank and Black and Bear Diner ( owned by football dad George Sammut ) each donated $ 25,000 .
Working with the Gilroy Foundation , the committee of dads established the Legacy Club , which offers lifetime entrance to home games and the engraving of donor names in the home-side bleachers with a donation of $ 2,000 . The Legacy Club has raised $ 94,000 as of November 2014 . Membership will remain open until its 100-member milestone is reached . Information can be found online at dcsportscomplex . org , a website set up by Jim Rhodes , one of the six dads .
The dads also inspired CHS students who , with the support of school staff and administrators , conducted a successful email campaign that raised $ 20,000 for the project .
The Cougars Get a New Home
It was an emotion-filled opening day on September 5th , 2014 . The six dads looked on as their sons and the entire Cougar team entered the new football field through a man-made tunnel of cheering students and went on to play a great game of football , achieving a 12-6 win over Sobrato High . Also on hand were Don and Karen Christopher . Don was celebrating his 80th birthday at the occasion and the couple received special recognition from GUSD Superintendent Debbie Flores as well as Santa Clara County District 1 Supervisor and Board President Mike Wasserman .
“ It was a great moment ,” said Sanford . “ We dads were very passionate about the sports complex , and Don taught us all about philanthropy in action . We all come from different professional backgrounds and
brought different skills and perspectives to the effort . Through the inevitable ups and downs of a project this big there were a few tough conversations and lots of laughter . But as they say , there ’ s no ‘ I ’ in team .”
“ This year , our boys are seniors , and the football team is doing very well ,” Sanford said . ( 8-1 overall and 5-0 league at the time of this writing , 11 / 10 / 14 ) “ People are filling the bleachers to watch the Cougars compete .”
The CHS Track & Field Coach Jeff Myers is wearing one of the biggest smiles on campus these days .
“ Our athletes finally have a place to call home ,” Myers said . “ I am thrilled about the all-weather track and the new track timing system , but the real benefit of the new sports complex is that more students will see it , get excited about it , and come out for the team .”
The new sports complex is already attracting a broader cross-section of students interested in field sports like lacrosse , field hockey and soccer , as well as marching band , the cheering squad , dance teams , and other activities .
Clearly , what was once a field of dreams is now a reality . As Sanford summed it up , “ What has been accomplished by the teamwork of many people is now part of a lasting legacy that will do so much to bring the high school community together for generations to come .”
GO COUGARS !
Don Christopher Sports Complex
The new venue is home to many Christopher High School teams , youth sports groups , and the community who come to play football , track & field , lacrosse , field hockey and soccer .
The complex features new synthetic-turf all-weather field and track • Stadium lights • Permanent home and visitor bleachers • Press box • Electronic scoreboard • Concession stands • Restrooms • Perimeter fence • PA / Sound System • Track Timing System • Entry Area Paving and Signage
To learn more visit dcsportscomplex . org .
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