They did build the new Tiger Stadium and they did come, an estimated 300 to 500 Friday evening.
It was the stadium’s official unveiling to the public in an open house that generated smiles and more than a little awe as the $5-million facility got a big “thumbs up” from Tiger fans.
A crowd of well over 100 gathered outside the home ticket booth even before the 7 p.m. opening. The atmosphere was more like a crowd waiting to get into Six Flags or Disneyland than into a sports event
There were very brief welcomes from Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo and Jeff Miller, head football coach and athletic director.
A brief ribbon cutting was held (see page 3A) then the gates were open and Rockdale got to see its new Fantasyland.
Many headed first to the field house, which has also undergone a complete renovation. (See page 8B).
Dr. Monzingo issued a special invitation to former RHS athletes who remember the old field house. It was accepted with a steady stream of visitors filing through the gleaming new facility.
Most headed directly to the mammoth home bleachers crowned by a state-of-the-art three-part press box.
The new, lofty, press box provides a birds-eye view of much of Rockdale.
One of the prime reasons for the open house was to allow season-ticket holders a chance to find their seats for the 2018 home schedule.
Not only did the happy searchers find them, many took a seat, sat for several minutes and dreamed of glories yet to come they will witness from those very spots.
And they won’t have to wait long to occupy those seats again. Rockdale opens its delayed home schedule at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Manor New Tech.
And the story of the new Tiger Stadium’s history will commence.
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