By JACOB GLASSNER Voice-Tribune Staff Writer
A first-class high school football team deserves a first-class stadium, and the Trinity High Shamrocks now have one.
Trinity has completed its $3.3 million, 4,500-seat Marshall Stadium.
The new multi-use stadium, which has synthetic turf, a section of chair-back seats and a two-story press box, will host its first varsity football game on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m., when the Rocks take on Southern High.
"When our athletes walk out here and practice and see what they have in front of them, it doesn’t take long before they realize there’s a lot of people who care," Trinity head football coach Bob Beatty said at a media preview day on Sept. 8.
Beatty expects the stadium to increase his team’s work ethic and the school’s winning expectations.
Trinity’s 15 4-A state football championships lead Ken-tucky.
The facility also features a new scoreboard and sound system, increased parking, an enlarged concession stand and new lights.
The stadium has 1,700 more seats than Trinity’s old stadium, which was razed. Naming rights to 702 reserved seats were sold for $1,000 each.
In addition to being used for football games and practice, the facility will be used for soccer, lacrosse and student activities for Trinity’s 1,400 students.
"The usage of this has just skyrocketed," said Trinity’s president Dr. Rob Mullen.
The new Harry Jansing Field requires much less maintenance than the old one. The team used to practice elsewhere to protect the grass.
"Now we practice and play on it," said Mullen. "We like to think it will be used 24/7."
Even after Hurricane Katri-na brought heavy rains to Louisville, the field was ready to be used immediately, he said.
Mullen expects the new turf to save the school $40,000 a year in maintenance costs.
The soft turf will be easier on legs and cut down on injuries, added Beatty.
"It’s a fantastic fiber that we have," he said "It’s very modern and up to date."
The new stadium is just one facet of Trinity’s master plan to improve the campus, which started in 1995 and is about 90 percent complete. The $18 million plan was funded completely by donations and included building new academic facilities and expanding existing ones.
Mullen expects the stadium to be completely paid for in the coming weeks. Of the stadium’s $3.3 million cost, $500,000 came from donated materials and services.
The stadium was named after R.W. "Buck" Marshall, a St. Matthews businessman and longtime Trinity supporter who died last December.
The Marshall Family Foundation donated $1 million to Trinity’s current capital campaign.
Phillip Marshall, a 1979 Trinity graduate and grandson of Buck Marshall, said the new stadium will build "atmosphere" and "enthusiasm" at the school.
"We were just so thankful for our foundation to be a part of such a great project to benefit the community and the work that Trinity High School does in educating young men," said Marshall.
