DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa (WHP) — For the first time since the project's announcement, the Steelton-Highspire School District has unveiled a rendering of what a new stadium revitalization project will look like—and it's being partially backed by an NFL alum.
The district presented the rendering during a press conference Thursday, with statements being given from multiple district officials, including Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Andrew Erby, who spoke on the importance of the project:
"Obviously, we're an underfunded school district, which makes things very difficult. The next step was explaining to our student athletes and community that we would have to have an unplayable surface."
However, Erby emphasized not only the district but also the community's determination to ride out any challenging times.
"We had to have some tough, honest conversations but in our community we respond through adversity by sticking together and obviously we had to come up with a plan."
The stadium project in particular, becoming something much more than an athletics stadium—eventually turning into what the district will call a "Community Education, Career, Health & Wellness Hub."
"You know everybody has a misconception, 'well it's just a football field', but it is so much more than just a football field," one district official said,
> Not only is it just the football team who will benefit from this, you've also got our athletic cheerleaders who will benefit from this. You've got our track and field team who will greatly benefit from this. You also have students who, maybe they're not participating in athletics, but they will be able to come over and utilize the facilities for everything from health and wellness to nature to science to culinary arts. There's so much that we envision with the complex.
But among staff was one surprise guest, a certain1968 Steelton-Highspire High grad and former wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, David Sullivan.
Sullivan, who played for the Browns from 1973-1974, also helped Gibraltar Mausoleum grow from $8 million to $120 million in revenue as its executive vice president.
Now, using that economic education, Sullivan has a new mission to help his home town:
> We all have a strong desire for success and I'm hoping that my business background and business savvy can add a lot to what we're doing.
Announcing his dedication and support for the project, Sullivan also revealed a whopping $500,000 gift, emphasizing his love for his roots with one simple statement:
"I'm from Steelton, Pennsylvania."
Previously the district's superintendent, Mick Iskric, explained that the project will be done in three phases:
* Phase 1: Field and Infrastructure Upgrade
* Phase 2: Track and Stadium Redevelopment
* Phase 3: Career, Education and Wellness Center
“Our facilities no longer reflect our legacy,” Erby said previously. “We’ve produced champions without resources—imagine what we could do with them.”