Galion City School District
10/26/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/26/2021 08:44
New soccer stadium shows sport's growth in Galion
October 26, 2021
The Galion City Schools held a celebration to officially open its new soccer stadium on October 5. Galion soccer alumni, former Galion soccer coaches, current and past district administrators, and community leaders joined together with representatives from the Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon-cutting at midfield during halftime of the Lady Tigers' home contest against Mansfield Senior.
Former Board of Education member Brian Owens, who was on the board when the idea first started, said it is a great feeling that the initiative came to fruition.
"Soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports within the area and the nation, and it was expressed to the board by both students and the community that we should look to field both boys and girls teams," Owens said. "It especially hit home with me since we were acting on the requests of the students and the community."
Jennifer Kuns, another former board member when the idea originated for varsity soccer teams and a dedicated soccer field, said that offering a soccer program helped to improve the quality of life for Galion students.
"Not only does offering soccer make us a more well-rounded district, but it also increases the chance of keeping students at our schools," Kuns said. "Having options greatly increases the quality of life for Galion students."
The Galion varsity soccer teams are currently in their sixth year of competition as varsity sports. Mr. Owens was quick to praise the work of current Galion Athletic Director Kyle Baughn and former Superintendent Jim Grubbs in making the soccer programs and the stadium a reality.
"Jim and Kyle both played a vital role in this undertaking," Owens said. "This accomplishment is a testament to the community and the superintendent, but more importantly to Mr. Baughn and the students."
"I cannot say thank you enough to those current and former students, community members, district administrators, and former Board of Education members for their work, leadership, and vision in making soccer a reality in our district," Galion Superintendent Jennifer Allerding said. "The new stadium will be the home of future Tiger soccer players for many generations to come!"